Ronke Kehinde/
Nigeria’s future looked bright as Queensland Academy students showcased how they are laying solid foundation for the country’s scientific and technological advancement in Lagos on April 28.
The students who held a show tagged ‘STEM Fair 2018’ at the school compound in Okota, Lagos, unveiled over 12 projects and innovations.
According to the organisers, STEM is an approach to learning and development that integrates the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics into a cohesive learning paradigm for real world applications.
One of the outstanding projects, at the maiden exhibition, is the clap activated bed side lamp; the brain work of Ayomide Adebere, a Year 8 student of the school. This proffers solution to household accidents caused when residents of a building try to locate the light’s switch in the dark or at night.
Other projects are: Electronic Piano, Automated school bell, water powered mobile phone charger, Walkie–Talkie, Queensland Talking Robot (QTR), Fingerprint Activated Security Door, Remote Controlled Car, Rechargeable Fan, Line follower robot and Queensland obstacle avoidance robot(QOAR) among others.
Fingerprint Activated Security door is a top class solution to industrial security and can be customized to meet certain industry needs.
The Queensland talking robot was designed by the outgoing student of Year 12, Seyi Fatusin. It was designed to salute and welcome guests to the event – Queensland STEM fair 2018 and to briefly educate guests on the meaning of STEM.
Other activities at the fair included Science Quiz Competition, Symposium on Energy Problems in Nigeria – The Way Forward, as well as Music and dance presentation.
Other schools participated in the science quiz competition. In the senior category, John Bright Comprehensive High School, Surulere came first while Fountain Height Secondary School, Surulere, came second, and Grandmate School Okota, came third.
John Bright Nursery and Primary School, Surulere, took the first position in the junior category of the Quiz competition while Priston Junior School, Surulere and Platinum International School, Okota picked second and third position respectively.
STEM incorporates practical hands-on teaching and learning methodologies into school curriculum, so that students are taught to apply the wealth of knowledge gained in school to solving real world problems.
Speaking at the event, the school consultant, Mr. Ibukun Oluderu said: “Schools should go beyond producing excellent results in science and mathematics that are at best self- glorifying to concentrating more energy on inculcating in their students the ability to apply scientific principles and think critically. They should be trained to see their education as a call to serving their society by finding solutions to real life challenges as observed by them and to produce technologies that can make such solutions easy to implement.”
Personalities at the event included the representative of Lagos State deputy governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, Mr Adebayo M. Ibiyeye; the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos, Prof. Funsho. A Falade, as well as the Chairman of the Day Engr. Gregory Obioha.