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The African Educational Landscape
In Africa, we face unique challenges: limited resources, diverse cultural contexts, and rapidly changing socio-economic environments. These challenges demand adaptive problem-solving approaches that are both innovative and culturally relevant.
Why Adaptive Problem-Solving Matters in Africa
- Resource Constraints: We often need to do more with less, requiring creative solutions that maximise impact with minimal resources.
- Cultural Diversity: Our continent's rich tapestry of cultures necessitates flexible approaches that can be tailored to local contexts.
- Rapid Change: From urbanisation to technological advancements, we need to prepare our students for a future that's evolving faster than ever.
Magaga's students develop impact projects, such as this solar oven
A Platform for Contextual Innovation: Why HundrED.org excels in fostering inclusive and context-aware innovation
• Global Yet Local: While curating innovations from over 100 countries, HundrED emphasises local implementation. For instance, African educators have adapted Finland's phenomenon-based learning approach by incorporating local environmental issues into interdisciplinary projects.
• Diverse Representation: HundrED actively features African innovations like Eneza Education's mobile learning platform, which provides affordable access to quality education in remote areas.
• Scalability Focus: The platform prioritises innovations that can scale across diverse contexts, such as low-cost digital tools that work offline—ideal for regions with limited connectivity.
• Implementation Support: HundrED offers resources like guides and webinars to help educators adapt innovations effectively.
Personal Impact and Success Stories from Africa
Former HundrED Country Leads Magaga Enos and Jenny Finn
My journey with HundrED has been transformative both professionally and personally:
- Building Resilient School Communities
My connection with HundrED's former US Country Lead Jenny Finn introduced me to Sourced Design principles, particularly the concept of building a beloved community. This approach proved invaluable when addressing post-COVID challenges in schools, creating vitality-centred learning environments where students felt valued and understood. - Engaging Girls in STEAM
Working with vulnerable Maasai communities, I faced challenges in engaging girls in STEAM subjects. HundrED ambassador Lindsay Stewart introduced me to innovative teaching methods integrating arts into science lessons. Through the Sweet Tree Arts fellowship in collaboration with SLAM Out Loud and a course at the New England Institute for Teacher Education, I learned to create more engaging and accessible science lessons, increasing girls' participation in STEAM subjects. - Expanding STEAM Education
As the FULL STEAM FORWARD director for Kenya, a role made possible through the HundrED platform, I've provided free after-school STEAM programming to underserved girls, extending STEAM education to local primary schools in my community and exposing learners to inspirational global speakers.
CAPS: A HundrED Connection Sparking Local Transformation
One of the most profound impacts of my involvement with HundrED has been the opportunity to connect with global innovators, especially at the HundrED Summit in Finland in 2022. It was there that I first met Corey Mohn, Executive Director of the Center for Advanced Professional Studies CAPS Network.
Recognizing a shared passion for transforming education, I was immediately drawn to the CAPS model as an innovative approach to bridge the gap between education and industry. Since 2022, I've been able to implement a key plan that shows how they are a HundrED success story.
CAPS goes beyond traditional approaches by empowering students to:
- Discover Their Passions: Learners explore potential career paths aligned with their skills and interests.
- Develop an Entrepreneurial Mindset: Students cultivate creativity, problem-solving skills, and the ability to identify and pursue new opportunities.
- Gain Real-Life Skills: By connecting schools, community enterprises, industry partners, and government entities, students acquire practical, in-demand skills tailored to meet community needs.
This initiative is a testament to the transformative power of HundrED in creating long-lasting connections and driving meaningful change on a global scale.
Corey Mohn and Enos Magaga of the CAPS Network meet with Canise Salinas-Willich, Ed.D., at the public school district office in Kansas City, Kansas.
Beyond partnerships outside Africa, I have also connected with African HundrED community members and initiated collaborations that have helped promote STEAM education in our schools. For instance, the Association of Professional Women Engineers Nigeria and the James Ongubor Foundation have conducted workshops at our school in Kenya, inspiring girls to pursue science and engineering.
Call to Action
To my fellow African educators and those passionate about inclusive education globally:
- Explore HundrED.org: Discover adaptable innovations that can transform your classrooms.
- Share Your Innovations: Your unique solutions could inspire educators worldwide.
- Connect and Collaborate: Use the platform to build partnerships across borders.
Our challenges in Africa are opportunities for innovation. By embracing adaptive problem-solving and leveraging platforms like HundrED, we can create educational solutions that are globally informed yet locally impactful.
Let's harness the power of global collaboration to transform education in Africa—and beyond—one innovation at a time.
