Empowering young people through hands-on learning, mentorship, and innovation.

 



UNESCO Windhoek Office, in partnership with Mindsinaction STEAM Centre, the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC), the Namibia National Commission for UNESCO, and Chinese technology company BOE, successfully hosted a three-day Train the Trainer Workshop on 3D Printing, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence at NIPAM, Windhoek. The event also marked the official launch of the African science clubs participating in the UNESCO Science Clubs Network.




UNESCO Windhoek Office

Held from 3 to 5 December 2025, the three-day workshop brought together 60 trainers from nine African countries, including Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Participants represented school based, youth led, and community science clubs, with balanced gender participation. The programme strengthened both technical and pedagogical capacity, equipping trainers with practical skills to deliver hands on STEM education and to establish and sustain science clubs in their local communities. 


Over the three days, trainers engaged in intensive practical sessions covering applied projects using 3D printing tools such as Tinkercad, robotics assembly and coding challenges, and introductory artificial intelligence exercises using Scratch based logic and Teachable Machine applications. The training emphasized experiential learning, peer exchange, and collaborative problem solving, enabling participants to develop STEM activity modules for immediate use in their science clubs. Engagement remained high throughout the programme, despite variations in participants’ prior technical knowledge.

NAMIBIA


The workshop was implemented within the framework of the United Nations International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development 2024 to 2033, led by UNESCO. This initiative responds to the growing demand for applied STEM skills in emerging technologies and reinforces the role of science as a driver of inclusive and sustainable development across Africa. 



Ms. Eunice Smith, Head of Office, UNESCO Windhoek, addresses participants at the launch of the African Science Clubs Network.

A key highlight of the workshop was the official launch of the African science clubs participating in the UNESCO Science Clubs Network. The network connects local science clubs to global expertise, mentorship, and resources, providing young people with opportunities to build critical STEM competencies and contribute to innovation and sustainable development across the continent. Speaking at the launch, UNESCO Windhoek Head of Office, Ms. Eunice Smith, highlighted the importance of science, technology, and innovation in achieving the sustainable development goals. 



While delivering remarks on behalf of Mr. Erastus Haitengela, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Education Innovation Youth Sports Arts and Culture, the Namibia NatCom Secretary General, Mr. Gernot Piepmeyer, highlighted the transformative potential of science clubs in equipping young people with practical skills in 3D printing, robotics, and artificial intelligence, emphasizing that these initiatives will empower learners to experiment, innovate, and explore new career opportunities in science and technology.



UNESCO Windhoek Office


“You leave here not only with new knowledge but with the responsibility and opportunity to expand this knowledge into schools, communities and training institutions in Southern Africa. Your work will enable young people, many for the first time, to experiment with robotics kits, explore coding, design objects in three dimensions, apply AI tools to local challenges and imagine new careers in science and technology,” he said.

After the workshop, participants returned to their communities with new skills, teaching tools, and stronger regional networks. With the African science clubs now formally part of the UNESCO Science Clubs Network, the initiative sets a foundation for continued collaboration and the growth of practical STEM education across Africa. The event reaffirmed a shared commitment to empowering young people through hands-on learning, mentorship, and innovation.


Location: Windhoek, Namibia

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