Debmarine Namibia and Mindsinaction have set in motion the ‘Debmarine I Love STEAM’ programme, a transformative initiative geared towards igniting enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics in primary schools, focusing on grades three to seven.
Five schools have already reaped the benefits of this innovative programme, marking a significant stride in the quest to cultivate a generation of young minds equipped for the challenges of tomorrow.
The chief executive officer of Debmarine Namibia Willy Mertens said his company has committed an impressive N$4.2 million over the next five years to support
the ongoing development and implementation of the initiative. “This commitment is poised to fortify the collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, underscoring a shared vision to nurture the emergence of Namibia’s future scientists, engineers and investors,” he noted.
He expressed pride in “illuminating the path towards a brilliant future for our prospective scientists”, and conveyed excitement for the remarkable journey which awaits the young learners involved in this groundbreaking move.
“The ‘Debmarine I Love STEAM’ initiative stands as a beacon of hope for the education landscape, promising to shape a brighter and more innovative future for Namibia.
Debmarine has partnered with the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), and sponsored a few programmes such as the annual National Science Fair,
National Science quiz, the Mathematics Olympiad (whose winners competed in Rwanda this year), the National Innovation Challenge for Women, and the development of Science Demonstration Centres.”
The co-founder of Mindsinaction, Ndaudika Mulundileni, said there was a total number of 121 learners who participated in the ‘I love STEAM programme’. Learners are introduced to scientific methods of discovery through captivating experiments in chemistry
and physical science to collect and
interpret data. The science experiments are designed to spark curiosity and foster understanding of the natural world.
“When it comes to arts, learners love colours, as it brightens up our lives and gives meaning to our space. Learners are introduced to science modules. Learners experiment with colour mixing, print making, shading and drawing. They also engage in confidence-building with
peers,” he said.
Mulundileni added that the project has been in the pipeline for six months, and they are grateful for Debmarine’s support.
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