The NRCF STEM Camp 2024 was a transformative, two-week journey that introduced 7th and 8th-grade students to the dynamic world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Hosted at the NRCF Elimu Hub Center in partnership with Science Mill and Friends of Ngong Road, the camp aimed to inspire curiosity, nurture problem-solving skills, and open doors to exciting career opportunities in STEM.

A Two-Week Overview

Week 1: Biomimicry-Inspired Projects (Grade 7)
Students explored biomimicry, applying nature’s designs to solve real-world challenges. Projects included:

• Smart Bin: An accessible, touch-free bin inspired by animal reflexes.
• Rescue Kingfisher: A robotic bird for underwater rescue operations.
• Jitterbug: A stress-relieving device modeled after a butterfly.

Week 2: Biomimicry-Inspired Projects (Grade 8)
Building on the previous week, Grade 8 students tackled advanced challenges with bio-inspired engineering. Highlights included:

• Whale Robot: A water-cleaning robot based on a whale’s filtration system.
• Security Sunflower: A solar-powered motion-sensing camera system.
• Anglerfish Vessel: A deep-sea exploration vessel mimicking the anglerfish’s bioluminescence.

Hands-On Learning and STEM Career Exploration

Throughout the camp, students engaged in interactive lessons and activities designed to bridge the gap between classroom concepts and real-world applications:

• Robotics and Coding: Using Micro: bit and Hummingbird kits, students created “battle bots” and tackled engineering challenges.
• Renewable Energy: Teams designed wind turbines and explored careers in energy engineering.
• Food Science: Activities like making edible water balls and ice cream highlighted the intersection of science, creativity, and technology.

Career discussions introduced participants to diverse fields, from molecular gastronomy and robotics to ecology and renewable energy, igniting aspirations for future STEM roles.

Graduation Celebration

The camp concluded with a memorable graduation ceremony, celebrating the participants’ creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

• Project Presentations: Students showcased their biomimicry-inspired projects to an impressed audience of peers, facilitators, and guests.
• Certificates of Achievement: Each participant received a personalized certificate, recognizing their dedication and accomplishments.
• A Sweet Finale: The event ended with a celebratory cake-cutting, leaving students with lasting memories of their STEM journey.

The NRCF STEM Camp 2024 was a resounding success, empowering 73 young minds with STEM knowledge, creativity, and confidence. This achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our partners, facilitators, and volunteers.

We aim to expand the program to reach more students, incorporating diverse venues like research centers and nature reserves to enhance hands-on learning experiences. We extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors, donors, and partners, including the Science Mill and Friends of Ngong Road, whose generous support made this camp possible. Your contributions empowered these young minds to explore their potential and inspired a new generation of problem-solvers and innovators. A special thank you to the facilitators, mentors, and volunteers whose dedication ensured the program’s success. Together, we can continue to spark innovation and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers.

The NRCF Career Workshop, held on November 5th, 6th, and 11th, 2024, was a dynamic and impactful event that brought together students, speakers, and facilitators to explore career opportunities and life skills. The workshop’s success was attributed to excellent support from the office and the enthusiastic participation of students across all forms.

Students were introduced to strategies for discovering their passions and potential career paths. Emphasis was placed on innovation, situational awareness, and understanding personality traits through prior personality tests. Many students expressed interest in multiple careers, showing less focus on traditional professions like law, health, education, engineering, and IT.

The workshop featured notable speakers who shared valuable insights and personal experiences:

• Joel Powon (ABSA SME Regional Manager) stressed the importance of work ethics and networking.
• Ann Maina (Agile Coach, Safaricom) advocated for an agile approach to career planning and provided an analogy to help students identify opportunities and manage risks.
• Ian King (Entrepreneur) shared his personal journey and donated four impactful books which had a profound impact on his career trajectory and his relationship with money.
• Winfred Nyokabi (NOMADIT Events) highlighted the growing significance of remote work, resilience, and IT skills.
• Dr. Sandra Sebitosi-van Jaarsveld (Entrepreneur, Pretoria) shared strategies for balancing work and life while navigating challenges in a foreign country.
• Dr. Diana Abuodha (Medical Services Manager, Avenue Healthcare) discussed healthcare opportunities and her academic improvement journey through better study habits.
• Grace Kamau (HR Business Partner, Save the Children) encouraged adaptability and openness to change in the evolving workforce.
• Epher Wanambisi (Nurse, Barnes Jewish Hospital) shared experiences in nursing and emphasized the diverse opportunities within the field.
• Ann Njeri spoke about the value of character, resilience, and meaningful friendships in achieving one’s dreams.
• Dr. Josephine Muiru (Pharmaceutical Industry) detailed her career transition from clinical practice to pharmaceuticals, outlining the risks and rewards.
• John Smith (Aviation Engineer) addressed substance abuse challenges in fast-paced careers, particularly in the aviation industry.
• Nkatha Omondi (Lawyer) provided an overview of various legal career paths and opportunities.

The students explored concepts like Ikigai, which encourages people to discover what truly matters to them and live a life filled with purpose and joy, career duality, and the distinctions between jobs, careers, and callings. They also engaged in activities and discussions tailored to their age and academic levels, enhancing their understanding of career planning and personal growth. 

This enriching experience left participants motivated, equipped with actionable insights, and prepared to navigate their future career journeys. We strive to continue having initiatives that will transform the live of our students.

Since the launch of the Techmates program in September 2021, we have trained over 25 participants. During the program, they learn basic technical skills in digital marketing and software development. After completing the training, they build their professional portfolios and apply their new skills by working with  Friends of Ngong Road (FoNR), Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF), and Karibu Loo. This hands-on experience helps them improve both their technical abilities and interpersonal skills, which are essential in today’s job market.

As of today, many of our Techmates are working as freelancers for NRCF, FoNR, Karibu Loo, Lido Nation, and World Vision. These partnerships provide them with opportunities to apply the skills they have learned, working on real-world projects that help them grow professionally. Through these roles, they have gained valuable experience in digital marketing, software development, and project management, further honing their technical abilities and strengthening their problem-solving skills. Several Techmates have taken their careers to the next level by securing leadership positions and long-term contracts within these organizations.

Others have used their skills to run their own businesses, sharpening their entrepreneurial skills. To further establish themselves, the Techmates are working on the creation of their website. Through this platform, they aim to attract more clients and grow their reach, positioning themselves as leaders in the digital and tech industry.

Led by Sallyanne and Odero, the Techmates have been proactive in seeking new growth opportunities. Recently, they applied for funding through Project Catalyst’s Ideascale, a platform that supports innovative projects within the Cardano ecosystem. By securing this funding, the Techmates aim to expand their services to include blockchain solutions, tapping into the rapidly growing blockchain and Cardano industries. Their goal is to provide specialized blockchain services, including smart contract development, decentralized applications (dApps), and blockchain integration for companies looking to leverage the benefits of this technology. If successful, this funding would not only help them acquire the necessary tools and training but also enable them to build a team of skilled professionals dedicated to blockchain projects. 

The Techmates program has come a long way, and we are excited to welcome more trainees into this growing community. We look forward to seeing even more success stories in the future!