Rotary E Steam International Project
Chair: Frank Van den Broek
The Rotary E-STEAM Project (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art/Design and Math) was a collaboration between the Rotary clubs of Mtunzini, South Africa and Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary in Canada. An International Project, spanning 3 years, with some CoVID interruptions, it had financial support from partner Rotary clubs in British Columbia, Alberta and South Africa, the Government of Canada, Rotary Districts in Canada, USA and South Africa, and the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. The total project budget was about $80,000 USD.
The main objective of the project was to enhance project based, hands-on learning for a group of 11 schools in a very impoverished section of South Africa. Both the teachers and the students took part in classroom and offsite learning, most of which took place at the Twinstreams Environmental Centre in coastal wetlands near the community of Mtunzini. 280 Students and 50 teachers were hosted for 3 days in this camp setting.
Students first identified a project back in their home school area that they could work on together. When possible, the focus was on environmental issues. At the same time the teachers were given instruction on how to facilitate this type of learning and project solving. Once the stay at Twinstreams was completed, there were follow up visits and support to both the teachers and students within their school settings.
Baseline test scores were recorded in all subjects prior to this project starting and then compared, following the project, on a regular basis. Average student examination scores rose and the Education Ministry in South Africa watched closely and became involved. They are now looking at ways they can incorporate this type of STEAM learning into their system.
The project wound up in June 2024 and has been considered quite successful. The local host Mtunzini Rotary Club is exploring ways to continue with a second phase of this project and the Rotary Club of Cranbrook Sunrise is exploring a continued partnership
