By Makoba Kizito, Blessing Kemunto and Winfred Magu

The Centre participated in the Third Multispectral Conference and Exhibitions on Research, Science, Technology, and Innovation. The conference was held from May 7–10, 2024, at the Safari Park Hotel in Kasarani, with the topic "Science, Technology, and Innovation as the Game Changer for National Security and Sustainable Prosperity," by the National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation (NACOSTI).

Kenya's future is brightened by CEMASTEA's dedication to nurturing the potential of the next generation in STEM fields. CEMASTEA equips students with the necessary skills and fosters a passion of creativity, enabling them to become resourceful individuals capable of devising solutions to the pressing issues confronting the nation.  Mr. Makoba Kizito, coordinator of STEM innovations, presented the CEMASTEA’s paper on behalf of the CEO. The presentation was on the role of talent development and STEAM education in achieving national development goals.

According to Mr. Kizito, the purpose of STEM is to utilize the next generation to enhance the talent of the country. Additionally, because the institution is focused on STEM education, it emphasizes the value of developing students' talents through a variety of channels, including teaching and school leadership, which allows them to create their own career path. CEMASTEA aims to develop STEM education capacity in Africa through training, research, innovation, and partnerships with ecosystems, empowering young learners to realize their talents and become resourceful individuals for sustainable development.

The coordinator highlighted that CEMASTEA not only has teachers training programmes that are suitable in nurturing talents from primary and secondary school levels but also takes the initiative of monitoring and supporting them from their schools.

The next crucial facets of developing talent are STEM robotics boot camps and school visits. Learners can engage in these scenarios and get much more by using various learning tactics in a hands-on manner. Mr. Makoba      reiterated that by encouraging students to use their imagination, creativity, and critical thinking abilities, CEMASTEA place-based learning improves their ability to innovate. STEM on Wheels is a CEMASTEA bus that functions as a mobile lab and is furnished with all the equipment required by students, according to Mr. Makoba Kizito during the conference.

CEMASTEA collaborates with the University of Waterloo and the University of Nairobi to carry out STEM projects that are designed to give students problem-solving skills. As a result, twelve students were eligible to advance to the STEM-based Olympiads' next phase. Makoba said that "this Olympiad gives teachers opportunity to train on how to develop items that promote problem solving skills."

Another method to foster talent development through STEM education is the centre’s adding of robots to the 13^th category of the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair. This gives students the chance to take part in the Fair and showcase their creativity.
He pointed out that encouraging Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in students adds values to their everyday life and the capacity to make connections between what they study and real experiences; as a result, insecurity would decrease and solutions will be developed for the country, particularly in the job sector.
The focus placed by CEMASTEA on hands-on learning, collaboration with many stakeholders, and practical problem-solving abilities ensures that Kenya's youth are equipped to steer the nation towards a safer and more sustainable future.