Tanzanian junior students shine at Pan African STEM competition

Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian junior students claimed victory in the second Pan African competition focused on robotics and innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

The competition, held on Saturday November 16 at Aga Khan Primary School, brought together students from Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

Hosted in Tanzania for the first time, the event was organised by Young Engineers in collaboration with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

Nearly 200 participants, aged 6–14, showcased their creativity and technical skills under this year’s theme: Design Sustainable Cities with Integrated Transportation Systems to Solve Urbanisation Challenges.

The young innovators presented impressive projects, including vehicles, smart cities, modern bridges, and wind-powered electricity generators, using the Young Engineers Master Builder’s Kits.

Each kit, containing over 300 motorised LEGO pieces, enabled students to apply real-world principles of engineering, mechanics, physics and mathematics.

While Tanzanian juniors excelled in their category, Uganda’s senior students emerged as the overall winners of this year’s competition.

Speaking at the event, franchise owner and director of Young Engineers Tanzania, Ms Benazir Kurji, underscored the importance of the competition in nurturing collaboration and critical thinking among young minds.

“The Pan African STEM Competition provides a platform for young minds across the continent to collaborate, innovate and share ideas in robotics, engineering, and STEM education,” she said.

Ms Kurji added that the initiative helps students to learn from one another, sharpen their skills, and prepare for careers in the fast-changing technological landscape.

The Head of Aga Khan Primary School, Ms Blandina Duwe, highlighted the event’s significance in empowering students to address societal challenges through innovation.

“What we are doing is building on where the government has started by aligning with global development goals. These students now have the opportunity to design solutions that can help to tackle issues such as traffic congestion and infrastructure development,” she said.

More than 30 schools, both national and international, participated in categories such as ‘Best Teamwork,’ ‘Most Innovative,’ and ‘Most Creative.’

Winners in the categories included schools like the International School of Tanganyika (IST), Hannah Bennie Schools (HBS), and Aga Khan Primary School (AKPS).

The event follows the success of the inaugural Pan African STEM Competition, held in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2023.

The competition is part of a global initiative by Young Engineers, a franchise founded in 2008 and operating in over 60 countries.

Young Engineers offers after-school programmes designed to equip children with critical 21st-century skills, including creativity, spatial cognition, teamwork and problem-solving.

Recognised by Harvard University and the European Union Commission for its innovative education model, Young Engineers continues to shape the next generation of innovators worldwide.