AMMAN — Representatives from Madrasati,
the US Embassy and global education and development non-profit
IREX inaugurated
on Tuesday an initiative to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering and
Math (STEM) skills among adolescents and support them in designing solutions to
climate change issues in their schools and communities, according to a press
statement.
اضافة اعلان
The ‘STEM Green Labs’ project will run as part of
Madrasati’s Masahati Student Clubs program during the second semester of the
current school year, and will engage 240 Grade 8-9 students in 10 schools
across Jordan, the statement said.
“The program starts with a 10-week training in
multi-disciplinary STEM, and problem-based learning skills during which
students are assisted in ideating, designing and testing climate change
solutions,” it said.
Meetings with experts, and field visits to
businesses working in renewable energy, environmental and water conservation
“complement the training, exposing students to new career paths, and the
growing green jobs’ market”, the statement noted.
“After the end of the school year, a highly
experiential summer camp culminates in an expo showcasing the students’
solutions and engaging private and public sector representatives,” it said.
It maintained that the program, implemented by IREX
and Madrasati in partnership with the
Ministry of Education, and with the
support of the US Embassy, also “provides professional development for
teachers, who are trained to deliver the program, and are connected, through a
virtual exchange, with US colleagues to share challenges and strategies in
equipping students for higher education and careers in STEM”.
To mark the launch of the STEM Green Labs, IREX
President and CEO Kristin Lord, IREX Vice-President for Global Program Rebecca
Bell Meszaros, Madrasati Executive Director Tala Sweis, and US Embassy Deputy
Public Affairs Officer Alison Davis visited Princess Alia Secondary School in
Jabal Luweibdeh to listen to students’ ideas on climate change and its impact
on people and communities.
“This generation of youth will have to face the most
severe consequences of climate change: Extreme weather events leading to
increased migration, declining standards of living, food and water insecurity,
and degradation of natural eco-systems,” said Lord, after the listening session
with the students.
“Raising their awareness and equipping them with the
skills to navigate and meet these challenges is a priority,” she added.
According to Bell Meszaros, IREX has designed the
STEM Green Labs program to meaningfully engage youth as leaders prepared to
take on today and tomorrow’s challenges. “In this as in all other IREX youth
programs around the world, we work with young people as partners. We value
their ideas, perspectives, and strengths, and support initiatives that are
youth-led. We came here today to listen to Jordanian youth, so their ideas
inform and shape our activities,” Meszaros said.
Highlighting the program’s teacher development
component, Sweis said the STEM Green Labs will help meet a need for effective
strategies that go beyond conventional teaching and engage students in problem-based
learning to develop positive attitudes towards STEM subjects and future
careers.
Noting that the launch of the STEM Green Labs
coincides with the UN Climate Change Conference
COP27 being held in Egypt,
Davis, the US Embassy’s deputy Public Affairs Officer, emphasized the role of
concerted global action in combating the climate crisis. “Sustainable solutions
start with youth. Empowering youth to understand and address the climate crisis
helps us unlock solutions to this global challenge,” Davis said.
The Madrasati initiative was launched by Her Majesty
Queen Rania in 2008 to improve the physical and educational environment of
Jordan’s most neglected public schools.
Madrasati has served 850 Jordanian public schools run by the Ministry of
Education, and identified as the most underperforming and most in need of
renovation and assistance in educational development.
Madrasati has reached 360,000 students, 17,500
teachers, and 800 volunteers across Jordan’s 12 governorates.
With an annual portfolio of more than $100 million,
and more than 600 staff worldwide, IREX is a global development and education
organization working with partners in more than 100 countries to cultivate
leaders, empower youth, strengthen institutions, and increase access to quality
education and information.
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