Over 100 school children in the Kumasi metropolis have benefitted from an engagement on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) by the Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR).

The interaction is meant to showcase to the pupils activities of KCCR and enlighten them on careers in STEM.

The beneficiary students from selected public and private schools include: pupils from Our Ladies of Apostle, Bethelinter Academy, KNUST Basic School and Ayeduase Primary.

The engagement precedes the KCCR Day of Science on November 18, which is set aside to bring together children in the upper primary (classes 4-6) and expose them to the activities of KCCR. 

It is geared towards whipping their interest in science, research and related fields. The day is set aside to encourage creative thinking and to inculcate in them a sense of pride in their talents. 

“This year, as KCCR celebrates its 25^th anniversary, we plan on bringing 100 children selected from schools in our surrounding communities to spend the entire day at KCCR.

“The pupils will be exposed to our state-of-the-art equipment while explaining what they are meant for in simple everyday language. They will also get the chance to perform simple experiments. In addition, we will encourage them to ask all questions related to science, research and what KCCR does.

 “They will also interact with some of our amazing scientists, engage in group quizzes and have fun while learning,” said Dr. Augustina Sylverken, who is a scientist and head of the organizing committee.

Ms. Charity Wiafe Akenten of KCCR was happy the outreach has been impactful.  

“We have achieved what we wanted to achieve. We hope that when the students come to KCCR for the hands-on practical, they will be able to also learn something and be impacted,” she said. 

A teacher at the KNUST Primary School, Dr. Veronica Peprah was optimistic the outreach has rekindled the pupils' potential. 

“I could see the children were so excited. And the program brought out innate things in them, certain knowledge that was hidden was unearthed,” she said. 

Student beneficiaries at the KNUST Primary School expressed their excitement with the new knowledge and exposure. 

“They taught us about the coronavirus pandemic. It included a lot of scientists who came together to form a big team to find out a lot of things about the virus,” Samuella Bonsu Kwarteng of KNUST Basic School said.