STEM Camp for Girls in Minna: Promoting Creativity

EXCURSION TO JESIL PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY SPONSORED BY TIME OUT 4AFRICA STEM PROGRAM

The Time Out4 Africa Foundation sponsored an excursion for students at Mawo International School to visit Jesil Pharmaceutical Company.  Jesil Pharmaceutical is a company that produces drugs such as Vitamin C, Multivitamins and Blood tonic. The excursion was designed to expose students to career professionals and career opportunities in the STEM fields.

Time Out 4Africa implemented the STEM project to promote innovation and creativity in young students.  Funds raised for this project were used to host STEM projects at Mawo International School during the 2017-2018 school year. Since the success of the STEM Camp that took place at Mawo in November 2016, Time Out 4 Africa wanted to extend the learning opportunities to students in order to keep them engaged with STEM experiences.  Funds were used to cover the cost of a travel and food for 50 students, and 3 school officials from Mawo International School to visit Jesil Pharmaceutical.  Of the 50 students that went on the trip, 40 students were female and 10 students were males, all ages 6-11.   Research shows that early exposure to STEM experiences increase interest for the pursuit for a STEM profession.

While at Jesil Pharmaceutical, the students toured the production processes of the company and communicated with the Scientists and Pharmacists at the company. Joan, one of the students on the visit said “I really enjoyed myself. It was a memorable experience and I guess I was lucky to be selected.  I learned a lot from the excursion as I hope one day to become a Pharmacist so I can assist the Doctors in saving lives with my drugs”.  Another student, Firdausi, said of the excursion, “It was an educational experience and I didn’t want to go home but we had to”.  All of the students were excited and thrilled to see the drug production process up close for the first time in their lives. The visit to the Pharmaceutical Company allowed students to see where the drugs that doctors prescribe to them when they are ill come from.

After the excursion, the kids went for a picnic at the Democracy Garden where they had lunch and refreshments. The lunch, which consisted of chicken and rice, was also provided by the Time Out 4 Africa Foundation. While eating lunch, students spent the time discussing their experience at the Jesil Pharmaceutical Company. Many of students expressed interest in becoming Pharmacists and Doctors as of result of their experience at Jesil Pharmaceutical Company.

Time Out 4Africa is forever grateful for your generous donations.  Each donation allows us to provide continuous educational support to students in Nigeria.

Visit us at www.timeout4africa.com to learn more about our programs or to make a donation.

Time Out 4Africa Youth Ambassador, Naomi Kolo, attended the Calvert County Public Schools Science and Engineering EXPO on February 25, 2017.  While at the EXPO.  Naomi was engaged in hands-on activities learning about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.  The EXPO also exposed Naomi to options available for STEM classes, clubs, and careers.

Naomi stated, “The EXPO was a fun and I loved all of the activities."  Naomi was also excited about learning new STEM activity ideas that can be shared with girls in Minna, Nigeria at the 2017 STEM EXPO, which will be held in November.  Exposing girls to STEM at an early age has been proven to keep them motivated and inspired to pursue STEM careers. 

Time Out 4Africa is proud to have participants like Naomi involved in STEM activities throughout the year.  Our mission is to inspire and motivate participants from our programs to stay engaged in educational activities throughout the year. We look forward to highlighting another Youth Ambassador in an upcoming update.

Time Out 4Africa is currently participating in the GlobalGiving Girls Fund Campaign until March 15^th.  Your minimum donation of $10 will assist Time Out 4Africa gain a spot on the GlobalGiving Girls Platform for 2017, which will allow us to receive bonus funds throughout the year.  Please use the link below for additional information and to donate to the Time Out 4Africa Girls Funds Campaign: https://goto.gg/25157

Thank you for your continuous support of the Time Out 4Africa Sports and Education Foundation.