Over 450 children to experience STEM activities during summer school

Earlier this month, MITA launched its STEM Summer Club, now in its second year. This summer, more than 450 children, 15 summer clubs and 5 technology training providers have partnered in this initiative.

Through hands-on activities, children ages 7-13 will learn about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) subjects. Activities include programming robots, building balloon-powered cars, and conducting scientific experiments.

Summer schools working in collaboration with the club include the Inspire Summer Club, the University of Malta Kids on Campus Club, Klabb 3-16/ Skola Sajf in Pembroke, Zabbar, Mellieha, Mosta and Qormi, the ETC Childcare Centre, Splash Kids Club, Learn and Play Summer Kids Club, St. Joan Antide Summer Club, Qawra Dawra Durella Club, the Cottonera Access Centre and the Archbishop's Seminary Summer Fun Club.

St. Martin's Institute of Higher Education, Computer Domain, Holistic Institute of Technology, STC Training and the Kids@PwC programme have partnered with MITA in this initiative to offer technology sessions to STEM Summer Club students. Topics include Creative Computing, Cloud Computing, Game Development and Robotics.

MITA's Executive Chairman, Tony Sultana, said that, "Feedback from the 2014 STEM Summer Club was very positive and the number of participating schools and children has more than doubled.  The ultimate goal of the STEM Summer Club is to provide a positive and fun STEM experience to the children whilst encouraging them to consider STEM as a viable choice of subject. Engagement of students in hands-on activities has been shown to promote creativity and problem solving."

Development of STEM skills is a highly-significant policy area for Malta and Europe because STEM sectors are drivers of productivity, innovation and economic growth. The current and future supply of STEM skills is critical to the development of knowledge-intensive economies and European competitiveness for Malta.

Karen Hautala-Hili, Project Coordinator, believes that STEM builds on the natural instinct children have as problem solvers and engineers. She also said that, "Project-based learning boosts student engagement whilst honing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These activities bring science, technology, engineering and maths to life by enabling children to see how they are used in real life."

Initiatives like the STEM Summer Club are critical to the creation of a future workforce with STEM skills. STEM workers comprise about one-third of overall high-tech industry employment, or 15 percent of total high-tech jobs. There are thousands of jobs in the STEM sector, but not enough skilled people to fit the demand.

To learn more about the STEM Summer Club visit: https://www.mita.gov.mt/stemclub