The American University of Nigeria (AUN) has once again demonstrated its commitment to revolutionizing education with the successful hosting of the AUN-AID STEM Quiz Competition, which concluded in a grand celebration on World STEM Day, November 8, 2024. This initiative testifies to AUN's longstanding dedication to not just academic excellence but also community development.
AUN, as a development university, has consistently championed various initiatives aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by its host community and its neighborhood. By engaging directly with its communities, the University seeks to identify pressing problems and devise effective solutions. The recent quiz competition, drawing participants from top secondary schools across Adamawa State, reflects AUN's mission to enhance STEM education and inspire the next generation of thinkers and innovators.
The AUN-AID STEM Quiz Competition aimed to inspire students and promote the relevance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in an ever-evolving world. This educational paradigm not only fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills but also prepares students to excel in fields that drive today's economy.
Dr. DeWayne Frazier, AUN President, emphasized the importance of nurturing young minds in STEM fields. "The new 21st-century world revolves around STEM where innovation is key," he stated. "Nigeria has one of the brightest and most eager-to-learn cultures, and all we need to do is celebrate our children's efforts in these vital fields, AUN is proud to support this endeavor."
The STEM Quiz, the first to be organized by the University, provides students with essential skills and fosters innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities." By engaging in STEM, we learn to ask questions, seek answers, and embrace failure as a stepping stone to success," AUN Interim Provost, Prof. James Adewale.
Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Hussaini, Dean of the AUN School of Engineering, highlighted the career possibilities that STEM education opens up for students. "STEM opens doors to endless opportunities, from pursuing exciting careers in fields like medicine, aerospace, and renewable energy to making groundbreaking discoveries that shape the future," he noted.
Participants of the STEMP Quiz competition expressed genuine delight at the opportunity to be part of such an exciting and challenging event. Many described the experience as not only a platform for demonstrating their knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics but also as an empowering environment that fostered growth, learning, and a sense of community among peers with similar interests.
Several students noted that they were thrilled to engage with questions and activities that pushed their critical thinking skills to the limit. Others said it was their first time competing in an academic quiz of this scale, and they were appreciative of the opportunity to learn from both the competition content and from their fellow participants.
Others shared that being part of the first edition of the STEMP Quiz gave them a sense of pride, as they felt they were setting a precedent and contributing to the establishment of what they hoped would become an annual event.
As the AUN-AID STEM Quiz came to a close, anticipation built for the University's next steps and initiatives aimed at empowering young minds in the region. The future indeed holds promise, and as AUN continues to engage and support its community, the question remains: could this focus on STEM education be a strategic response to the myriad challenges of the 21st century? Only time will tell, but the momentum is certainly here!