By Grace Alegba
Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) on Tuesday introduced a play-based initiative to demystify and simplify science subjects for 160 secondary school girls in Lagos.
The event, hosted by the President of the association and sponsored by Worley Foundation, was held at Girls Senior High School, Iyana Ipaja, Agege Road.
The event was tagged: Delivering Sustainable Change. FunSTEM 2.0 forum project. Introducing Fun and Excitement Into Learning”.
It has the theme: “Expanding Horizons in STEM Education and Professional Development Across Nigeria”.
It also included 50 teachers and APWEN members as trainees.
Jumoke Olowowaste, APWEN Waste Museum Director, took students through practical sessions on utilising waste materials to create art works, jewelry, and household items.
“Waste is not waste until you waste it. You can turn all waste into art,” she said.
Also, Mrs Tolulope Erinosho, National Technical Secretary of APWEN, took the children through practical demonstrations on energy generation methods, including solar, wind, and electricity.
APWEN President, Dr Adebisi Osim, said Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are subjects and gateways to innovation, problem-solving, and building a sustainable future.
She stressed the need for Nigeria to join the rest of the world in ensuring that everyone, especially young women and girls, can embrace STEM with confidence, hence the introduction of fun activities.
According to her, the association is encouraging more girls to study science.
Osim noted that the first edition of the event was held in 2024 in Calabar, while the second phase held in Lagos Education District One.
Osim said the project aimed to enhance STEM education across Nigeria, beginning with Calabar and Lagos, with a target of 300 students, 100 educators, and 100 APWEN engineers.
She explained that the focus was to deliver hands-on learning, leadership development, and digital engagement while promoting gender balance and inclusivity.
The president commended pioneer female engineers who changed the narrative in what used to be a male-dominated field.
“Today, APWEN has grown to over 3,000 members, mentoring thousands more.
“That’s progress! Yet, according to a recent UNESCO report, women make up only about 35 per cent of STEM students globally,” she said.
Osim stressed the need to increase female experts to help tackle challenges such as climate change, renewable energy, and digital transformation.
“That is why events like FunSTEM are so vital. Worley, with its global commitment to delivering sustainable change, is helping us introduce fun and excitement into STEM learning right here in our schools.
“Imagine a young girl in a rural community tinkering with a simple solar-powered device during a hands-on workshop.
“That is not just play, it is planting the seeds for her to become the next engineer designing Nigeria’s smart cities,” she said.
She added that teachers and young engineers were also part of the project to ensure faster transfer of knowledge.
APWEN Lagos Chapter Chairperson, Mrs Bosede Oyekunle, who is also Worley Project Champion, said the theme resonated with the vision of the association.
Oyekunle, who chaired the planning committee of the programme, said the Lagos edition featured 160 girls from 13 schools, 50 teachers, and 50 APWEN members.
She highlighted the importance of using fun to spark interest in learning, while helping children appreciate and pursue engineering and science courses.
Mittal Megha, Legal Director of Worley Foundation, who joined the event virtually, explained her passion for community growth and the partnership with APWEN.
She noted the importance of STEM education and its benefits for technological advancement, environmental protection, and capacity building.
Adedoyin Talabi, Project Manager at Delta Afrik Engineering Ltd. and Worley representative, said 25 per cent of slots were allocated to boys for inclusivity.
Talabi added that young female students were also being groomed to understand that studying engineering or sciences does not affect or diminish their femininity.
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