The third edition of STEMNNOVATION – an initiative leveraging science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) combined with innovation to enhance creativity among pre-tertiary students and address societal needs – has been launched.
Given the evolving landscape, there’s a pressing need to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical problem-solving skills relevant to real-world situations. STEMNNOVATION prioritises future-focused learning, moving away from relying solely on theoretical approaches.
The competition’s 2024 edition is organised by the Free Senior High School (FSHS) Secretariat of the Ministry of Education (MoE) in partnership with the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP). STEMNNOVATION, in its previous editions, provided a platform for students to showcase STEM projects addressing societal challenges. This year’s event is expected to introduce even more unconventional solutions to societal issues. The competition allows students to demonstrate their talents through exploration, and promotes teamwork and appreciation of their peers’ abilities. Participating institutions are expected to submit project topics in one of the following areas: Digital Technology, Environmental Sustainability, Food Sovereignty and Sustainable Energy.
Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, at the launch in Accra challenged the perception that inventions are exclusive to universities: citing results of the past two STEMNNOVATION competitions as evidence that second-cycle institutions can also produce significant inventions.
He called on corporate organisations and investors to partner with the ministry in commercialising the fantastic solutions that will be produced for the benefit of society.
Referencing remarkable performances by non-elite schools, including Worawora Senior High School -which ranked among the top-three in the maiden edition of the contest in 2022 – he stated that the success of past competition winners underscores the importance of hard work and preparedness, regardless of the institution’s reputation.
“We aim to make the education system relevant to needs of the country with this initiative. STEM is here to stay! We are creating a pipeline for it; thus, from kindergarten through to tertiary. It doesn’t matter where your school is located, it is for everyone. I also want to encourage students to participate and bring on board what they are made of in terms of innovation and finding solutions,” he said.
Dr. Adutwum also commended the FSHS Secretariat and Ghana Education Service (GES) for successfully organising the competition. He emphasised the importance of commercialising the students’ inventions, urging industry stakeholders to partner with the MoE to bring these innovations to life.
He praised teachers at various levels for their dedication and commitment to national development through education.
Pre-Tertiary Education Director-MoE, Nana Baffour Awuah IV, highlighted that STEMNNOVATION is not just a competition but a movement that challenges students to use science to find solutions – and is also a call to action to unleash their potential for the future.
Osu Mantse, Nortse Nii Nortey Owuo IV – chairperson of the occasion, commended government and other stakeholders in the sector for their efforts aimed at ensuring Ghana’s active participation in the 21st-century developmental drive.
“This initiative gives students a chance to solicit African solutions for African challenges, and in the end position us as a tech-savvy nation,” he said.
The STEMNNOVATION concept
‘STEMNNOVATION’ is more than a competition; it represents a movement that encourages students from schools across the country to identify pressing community issues and utilise their STEM knowledge to create tangible and innovative solutions.
This approach perfectly aligns with government’s goal of promoting a technology-driven economy, ensuring that young Ghanaians are not just consumers but also creators and innovators in the field.
By nurturing problem-solvers, critical thinkers and innovators among the youth, Ghana is poised to make advancements in technology and experience significant growth.
