By Raymond Rex Awiagah
The Background
When floodwaters rush through Accra’s streets during heavy downpours, they often leave behind destruction and millions of liters of dirty water. But in a small classroom in Spintex, a group of school children looked at the problem differently: what if that water could be cleaned and reused instead of wasted?
The Challenge
That question became the heart of the challenge at the fourth edition of the Haven STEM Club, where students as young as junior high schoolers were tasked with designing a water filtration system. Using every day and local materials, they tested, refined, and debated.
After several minutes of pouring muddy samples through their homemade devices, one of the group called “the Brainstormers” stood out. Their filter produced water so clean it drew applause from their peers and nods of approval from the judges.
For the Brainstormers, it wasn’t just about being the best team but rather a message to the world that the Ghanaian children can create something that makes life better for society.
The Haven STEM Centre
The Haven STEM Centre, an initiative of Haven International, has been steadily making waves in Ghana’s education space. Focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the program draws local students from schools across the Spintex enclave, including Old Lashibi Basic School.
Creativity And Practical Problem-Solving
On display were innovations including, Automated Water Dispensor, Air Quality Monitor, Haven Smart City, Prototype Bridges among others.
But unlike traditional classrooms, the club thrives on creativity and practical problem-solving pushing learners to think about solutions to real-world challenges.
Ripping The Success
And it’s paying off. Earlier this year, the Haven STEM Centre supported Old Lashibi Basic School Leaners who are members of the Haven STEM Club to develop a gas leakage detector which made it into the Gstep finals National Competition in Accra.
Ghana’s Deputy Education Minister Wowed By The Innovation
The innovation impressed Ghana’s Deputy Education Minister, Dr. Clement Apark, who encouraged the students to commercialize their work, calling it “one of the best gas safety solutions that can help save lives.”
Dr. Clement Apark recounted how lives and properties have been lost through gas leakages. “only God knows how many lives we have lost in this republic. The quantum of property that have gone waste as a result of gas leakages. I can tell you that you are not the future, you are the present”.
The Renewed Confidence
That recognition has given the students some renewed confidence. At this latest edition, the water filtration challenge pushed them to imagine how science could turn disaster into opportunity.
5 Million Liters Of Water Floods The City
“Floodwater is usually seen as a threat, but with the right technology, it can become a resource,” said Ben Kwarteng, the STEM coordinator at Haven STEM Centre.
According to Ben Kwarteng, about 5 million liters of water floods the city and therefore the need to design a water filtering system that can turn this dirty water into reusable for domestic purposes.
Organizers Praising The Young Innovators
Certificates were awarded to all groups for their hard work, with organizers praising the young innovators for their problem-solving skills. An Enterprise Asset Management Expert based in the USA, Engineer Robert Kumaplay lauded the initiative, saying that exposing children to STEM early is critical for building a future generation of inventors, innovators, and leaders.
He said “even as we pursue advance technology and robotics, that we come back and look at some of the local problems such as air quality, drinking water that we try to solve those with the resources with the skills set that we have in our local communities”.
Engineer Robert Kumapley recommended that the project should focus on maintenance and operational efficiency “how can we do this in the cheapest possible way and the most cost effective way”.
The Motivation Behind The Haven STEM Club
Speaking about the motivation behind the Haven STEM Club, a co-founder of Haven International, Dr. Genevieve Kumapley said the idea started few years back “when we noted that within the community individuals have to be exposed to tools that will enable them solve problems”.
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She disclosed that the imitative started two and halve year with their partnership with the College of New Jersey in the United States of America. Dr. Kumapley is happy with the journey so far “the joy is seeing the students come up with innovation that I wouldn’t even think about, so seeing a dream come alive because we expose them to people who are doing the work”.
Impressesd By The Ghanaian Ingenuity
For some citizens from the United States of America including Kendra Gainey, Jona Rickards and Daniella Gainey who embarked on their first trip to Africa, specifically Ghana, they are amazed with the Ghanaian Ingenuity showcased at the Haven STEM Centre.
“I was impressed with how they worked as a team but just a learning… the science which is so much needed for the environment” says Jona Rickards while Kendra Gainey said she saw problem-solvers “I see a great future for this children in Ghana at Haven International”.
Conclusion
For the Brainstormers and their peers, the competition was more than just an academic exercise. It was proof that, given the tools and encouragement, children can look at some of society’s biggest problems.