As part of the Ghana science and Tech Explorer Prize (GSTEP) Challenge which is currently ongoing for the 50 selected finalist teams in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions, the teams were given the opportunity to embark on industry visits to STEM-related industries and fields in the country.
The finalist teams in the Ashanti region visited the KNUST College of Engineering. During their visit, they explored all the facilities and laboratories in the college. Some of the facilities they visited were the drilling fluid and cementing lab, drilling, and well control simulation lab, reservoir simulation lab, fluid properties lab, and the core and rock properties lab in the Petroleum building. They had the opportunity to ask questions about the things they were curious about and all they needed to know about engineering, in case they intend to explore that field in the future.
The use of AI technology was also demonstrated to the students when they toured the College of Engineering Innovation Centre. They were taught how to fly drones and also, the importance of AI technology in today’s world.
The Head of the Department for Material Engineering, Dr. Kwadwo Mensah-Darkwa, oversaw the two-day industry visit. In his bid to contribute to the GSTEP program, he encouraged the students to take the challenge seriously as it is a stepping stone toward their future aspirations. He thanked the teachers for nurturing their students to this point and asked that they continue in the same thread as they are the focal point in building the young ones into industry leaders and innovators.
In attendance was also the Provost of the College of Engineering, Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko. During the tour, he gave them expert information about all they needed to know in the field of engineering. He envisioned the students as great thinkers through his interaction with them. He advised them to continue to grow their interest in the various STEM fields, as our country needs more of them.
The Ghana Science and Tech Explorer Prize (GSTEP) Challenge has gotten to the judging phase. The finalist teams are building the prototypes of their ideas, and are preparing to present them to the panel of judges. The judging event for the Greater Accra finalist teams comes off on the 24th and 25th of November 2022, and on the 30th of November and 1st December 2022, the Ashanti region finalist teams would face their panel of judges to account for seven (7) weeks of intense preparation to bring their ideas to life.
The GSTEP consortium namely DreamOval Foundation, MEST Africa, Dext Technology, Challenge Works, and Foundervine saw this as an opportunity to boost the confidence levels of the students, and to peak their interests in the STEM world as they are at the stage where they are curious about everything happening around them.
It is pivotal to teach the youth to prioritize hands-on experience and real-world application which are important in the development of an innovative mind. With this, they are also to take a leap of confidence in securing their future.
