The festival presented students with an opportunity “to explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics activities at home and share your favourite project virtually with the global Jamat,” as per the festival website. Festival participants sent in one video demonstrating a STEM project, which was then showcased to the Jamat via The Ismaili TV. STEM, or Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics, is one of the fastest growing fields in the world.
“We have talked a lot about the downside of Covid-19. I doubt though that the Global STEM Festival would have happened under normal circumstances, at least not this quickly,” said Sheila Manji, Aga Khan Education Board member for France.
With less than six weeks to launch after the initial plan was set, the team took on weekly calls, sleepless nights, and an abundance of support to launch the event. “The division of responsibilities across the team gave everyone a clear role to play,” said Sheila.
Categories like numbers, plants and animals, problem solving, and transport and motion, all let the participants of the festival explore beyond their capabilities, and produce projects that proved the beauty in STEM.
“It’s so great to see how passionate the youth are these days about experimenting and learning new things,” said Alisha Madatali, an organiser of the festival and Education Board member from Portugal.
One such project came from the Gupis Yasin region of northern Pakistan. The Global STEM Festival ambassador for the region, Shihab Aslam shared that a “project which was really cool and interesting was the making of a traditional grain mill grinder which was run by water. These grain mill grinders were used by our father and grandfathers and even today we have a few,” said Aslam. “The kids show how we can make a simple water-powered grain mill grinder which is eco-friendly. If the efficiency of these water-powered devices is increased we can play our part in creating an eco-friendly and sustainable world.”
Because the Gupis Yasin region currently lacks adequate access to wifi networks and technology, registration was entirely paper-based, and video submissions were turned in remotely. While not everyone recorded their submissions, many still participated in the festival by executing projects on their own.
In other parts of the world, including Portugal, students like Shayan Kassamo Dhanji, an 11-year-old, created a chemical reaction using detergent, milk, water, and vinegar. He learned about the bonds, and how different substances react with one another.
“The STEM festival gave me an opportunity to share my learning and never stop fulfilling my curiosity, to continue inquiring further,” Shayan said.
With over 1,500 participations from 20 jurisdictions and more than 100 volunteers, the Global STEM Festival gave students the opportunity to learn, grow, and cultivate creativity when the world came to a still.
