STEMpower Kenya – MMUST STEM Centre Hosts Professional Development Workshop for Teachers to Strengthen STEM Education in Kakamega County
STEMpower Kenya – MMUST STEM CENTRE in collaboration with African Maths Initiative (AMI) and Innovations in Development, Education and Mathematical Sciences (INNODEMS), held a one-day Professional Development workshop aimed at strengthening STEM education in schools across Kakamega County. The workshop, held on 15th May 2025 at the university’s STEM Lab, brought together teachers from both Junior and Senior schools to explore innovative approaches in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This event serves as a build-up to the main Scratch Day event scheduled for 29th May 2025, where junior and high school students will participate and showcase their projects.
The initiative was designed to equip teachers with modern, effective pedagogical skills and strategies to address challenges faced in the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics. It also aligns with MMUST’s core mandate of teaching, research, and community service. As part of the University’s broader outreach and engagement programs, the workshop exemplifies MMUST’s commitment to solving real-world educational challenges within its neighboring communities.
The Chairperson of the Department of Physics- Dr. Maxwell Mageto witnesses the award of certificates during the workshop.
Speaking during the workshop, the Chairperson of the Department of Physics- Dr. Maxwell Mageto pointed out that the workshop responds to MMUST STEM Centre’s main objective of contributing towards the national program for Competence Based Education (CBE). “Our goal is to empower teachers with the tools and knowledge necessary to inspire the next generation of Scientists, Engineers, and Mathematicians,” said Dr. Mageto. “By building the capacity of teachers through professional development initiatives, we contribute to sustainable improvements in STEM Education,” he added.
The workshop offered the participants professional development opportunities in creative coding, a platform to showcase their schools’ innovations and creativity, and a chance to network with fellow educators and learners from across the county. They also engaged in hands-on activities including interactive demonstrations (scratch, robotics) and creative coding which were geared towards imparting the 21st century skills. The workshop also encouraged peer learning among the teachers, emphasizing the importance of community and shared knowledge in advancing education.
The other facilitators present during the workshop included Mr. Abok Silas- MMUST; Mr. Samuel Okoth, Ms. Lucian Talu, Mr. Owen Kizito, Mr. Kelvin Barasa and Ms. Esther Diera Barasa from African Maths Initiative and INNODEMS.
AMI and INNODEMS are grassroot organizations dedicated to transforming Mathematics education across Africa through innovation, collaboration and community engagement. They played a key role in designing and facilitating content that integrates creative coding and problem solving, drawing experience in organizing Maths camps, teacher training and code club development across Kenya.
A section of the participants during the workshop.
The teachers present at the workshop gained confidence in using Scratch for classroom projects and each school represented will be drafting at least one Scratch project idea to be presented by students during the upcoming event. A creative learning community has been formed to support continued collaboration and follow-up.
“This workshop has not only built our capacity in creative coding, but it is has also enabled collaboration amongst us. I look forward to applying what I have learned in the classroom. The practical part explains theory in simple terms that favor everyone, it was a great insight to learn coding,” said Madam Joan Khasiala, teacher at St. Caroli Maraba Municipality School.
As the education sector increasingly embraces digital tools and learner-centered teaching, MMUST’s Pre-Scratch workshop initiative is seen as a timely intervention to empower teachers with requisite skills that promote STEM education in Kenya.
By Linet Owuor, Malaba Elipha and David Mwongela Paul
Photos by Ronny Obuolo
