Young Scientists Kenya is collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Embassy of Ireland and Blaze by Safaricom held its first second term outreach in St. Kevins Mixed Secondary School in Turkana. This was a continuation of the National High School outreach program targeting an average of 1,500 students in each of the 47 counties. In the first term, the YSK and all partners visited and interacted with students in Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, different parts of Northern Kenya, Coast and Mount Kenya.
The YSK program is a unique platform that allows young people to demonstrate their talents in sciences and math, with the aim of transforming Kenya through innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
During the outreach, the platform offered an opportunity to a number of secondary school students from Turkana to showcase and sell their tech and scientific ideas to the relevant bodies in the field of science and technology.
Among the best innovations showcased at the exhibition was that of a programmed robotic by Levys Abedi Mushila, a form four student from St. Kevin’s Secondary School, with an aim of executing easy transport with less manpower in manufacturing and agriculture industries that are part of the Kenya’s big 4 agenda.
Last year’s exhibition saw 92 projects presented by 160 students during a two-day event held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in July. Wilson Irungu and Abdulrahman Sheikh Ali from Nakuru High School emerged as the winners thanks to their revolutionary internet-based energy monitoring and audit system concept, a victory that earned them a fully paid trip to showcase at the BT Young Scientists & Technology Exhibition in Ireland that ran between 9th and 12th January 2019.
Sylvia Mulinge, Chief Customer Officer Safaricom, had this to say, “At Safaricom, we are really proud to be associated with Young Scientists Kenya which is a unique platform for young people to demonstrate their innovation and showcase their scientific talents. In partnership with other key stakeholders, BLAZE by Safaricom is very pleased to take an active role in mentorship and empowerment of our young people in science and technology in Turkana County.”