STEM Camp for Girls in Minna: Promoting Creativity

Time Out 4Africa hosted the 2nd Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) EXPO for girls in Minna Nigeria.  The EXPO was designed to expose girls, ages 7-10, to the basics of STEM Education.  Thirty-five girls were exposed to basic science experiments, coding through the use of code.org, robotics through the use of code and go mouse sets, and engineering through the use of Legos. Twenty-five of the girls that attended the EXPO where returning from the 2016 EXPO. Ten of those girls stated that the STEM EXPO was the first time that they were exposed to STEM education.  They were so excited!

Funds donated to Time Out 4Africa’s STEM Camp in Minna were used to purchase the STEM supplies used at the camp.  Funds were also used to purchase drinks and snacks that were provided at the event. Additionally, girls were given a Time Out 4Africa bookbag for school supplies and a personal lego kit.

Girls at the EXPO received information on STEM careers and they were encouraged to think about the possibilities of a STEM career opportunity. The girls expressed excitement about engaging in the STEM activities and learning about STEM careers.

This year TimeOut 4Africa awarded 2 of the camp girls a scholarship for the academic school year. The award was titled the STEM GiRLS SHINE Award. This award went to Esther and Favour. The Timeout 4Africa Foundation will pay for school tuition, uniforms, bus transportation to school, sports wear and extra computer lessons.

Your donation made a difference and with your continued support, Time Out 4Africa can reach more girls in Minna, Nigeria, exposing them to the possiblies of STEM careers. 

Please follow us on Instagram and Twitter @Timeout4Africa. Also, visit our website at www.timeout4africa.com for upcoming events and to support us during the year. We appreciate your support during March 1-15, 2018 as we compete again for a spot on the GlobalGiving Girls Fund.

Thank you,

The TimeOut4Africa Foundation is in the final stages of prepping for the 2^nd Annual STEM Girls Shine EXPO.  The EXPO will take place mid-November 2017 in Minna Nigeria. STEM supplies have been sent to Minna in preparation for the upcoming event. The supplies include Legos, Keva Planks, and small robots that will be used for coding. 

Thirty girls will participate in the EXPO. The EXPO will be designed to expose girls to STEM activities as well as educate them on the possibilities of STEM career opportunities.  While at the EXPO, the girls will receive a STEM Girls Shine t-shirt and snacks provided by the TimeOut4Afcica Foundation.  Additionally, participants will receive a book bag with school supplies and a small STEM toy.

Your continuous support allows the Time Out4Afica Foundation to offer educational opportunities to children in Minna. Additionally, your funds are used to assist with the purchase of schools supplies that can be used throughout the school year.

In addition to prepping for the upcoming EXPO, TimeOut4Africa is honored to share that Jonathan Kolo, the Founder of TimeOut4Afica, received the African Community Service Award from the Allin1 for Africa Organization. Jonathan was recognized for his tireless humanitarian work done in Nigeria. 

As the 2017 year comes to an end, TimeOut4Africa would like to remind you about Giving Tuesday.  Giving Tuesday will be held on November 28, 2017, which marks the start of giving season. The Giving Season continues until December 31^st.  During the Giving Season time, TimeOut4frica will be competing for prizes and awards.  Please consider making a donation to TimeOut4Africa during the 2017 Giving Season.

To learn more about our projects or to make a donation, visit us on timeout4africa.com, follow us on Facebook @timout4Africa Education and Sports Foundation, Twitter, and Instagram at @timout4Africa.

Timeout 4Africa provided scholarships to two STEM GIRLS SHINE EXPO participants in Minna Nigeria. The STEM GIRLS SHINE Scholarship provided $400 to each participant which will cover school tuition and book fees for one year. Esther, one of the scholarship recipients, aspires to be a doctor when she grows up. Esther said that her involvement with TimeOut 4Africa and STEM activities inspires her to work hard to reach her goals. Favour, the other scholarship recipient, desires to became a nurse. Favour stated, “working hard in school and taking advantage of STEM opportunities will help me reach my goals.”

In preparation for the 2nd Annual STEM Girls Shine EXPO, that will be held in Minna Nigeria, Naomi, Timeout 4Africa USA STEM Ambassador, promoted STEM in Suffolk, Virginia in July. The STEM EXPO which had 24 girls present, exposed girls to STEM activities such as coding, engineering, circuits, and science experiments. The EXPO was the first experience for 90% of the participants and they all are eager to participate in future events. Naomi said, “she enjoys working with other girls to complete STEM activities”. Nadia, one of the participants at the EXPO said “she has happy to learn about STEM and had a great time participating in the STEM EXPO”.

Timeout 4Africa would like to thank you for your continued support which allows us promote STEM for girls across the nation.

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.