Cape Coast Ghana Science Association empowers teachers with STEM teaching techniques

The Cape Coast branch of the Ghana Science Association (GSA) has organized a workshop for science teachers in the Twifo Ati-Morkwa District, Central Region, Ghana, with the aim of sensitizing them to modern methods of teaching Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The workshop, held at the request of the District Education Directorate, targeted both public and private junior high school teachers, with a total of 116 participants.

The theme of the workshop was “Igniting Innovation: Empowering Educators in STEM Education in the Twifo Ati-Morkwa District.” The training equipped teachers with the latest pedagogical strategies and resources to enhance their effectiveness in teaching STEM subjects. Lecturers from the University of Cape Coast (UCC) guided the teachers through general pedagogy and assisted them in developing effective STEM teaching resources aligned with the current curriculum and educational standards.

Dr Kofi Acheaw Owusu, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Science Education at UCC, emphasized the importance of learner-centred teaching and encouraged teachers to engage students physically and cognitively in the knowledge acquisition process. Dr. Benjamin Aboagye, the Cape Coast Branch President of the Ghana Science Association, highlighted the association's commitment to improving science education in line with the evolving methods and demands of the 21st century.

The workshop aimed to address challenges such as the lack of motivation among students due to abstract teaching methods. The organizers stressed the need for teachers to adopt innovative and inquiry-driven approaches to make STEM subjects more appealing to students. The workshop also acknowledged the changing landscape of STEM education globally and sought to equip teachers with skills relevant to the current and future needs of the field.

Participants welcomed the training, considered it fruitful and expressed their readiness to implement the strategies and methods learned in their teaching. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to enhance STEM education in Ghana and contribute to the country's development in science and technology