Over 1000 Primary and Secondary school students have been challenged and motivated to change the world with the use of Science and Technology at the 2017 Science Fair event for female students which held on Thursday.
The event, organised by the Science 
Ambassadors Foundation (SAF) in collaboration with the Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, sought to increase the desire for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in the participants.
The event also prepared towards a Guinness World Record attempt in science education for the girl child.
Mrs Peace Nnabugwu, Country Director, SAF, Nigeria, in emphasising the need for the growth of STEM in Nigeria stated that a critical analysis of the ten most industrialised countries in the world shows the impact and importance of science and technology on health, transportation, communication and everyday consumer products.
“Unfortunately, due to poor funding of research and experiments, the teaching and learning in the field of science and technology in Nigeria has declined over the years,” she said.
“Also, the increase in the use of alternatives to practicals in the teaching of STEM subjects has made the learning of science more difficult. It is therefore important for government to encourage schools improvised STEM learning in order to solve existing problems.”
In his Keynote address, Prof. Toyin Ashiru, Group MD/CEO, Tri-continental Limited, urged the participating schools and students to take STEM careers seriously, saying it produces professionals that build communities, transform nations and solve complex problems in today’s world and the future.
“For our nation, investing in the future of STEM is a priority,” he declared.
“We must begin to appreciate scientists and innovators even more than we celebrate musicians and actors.
“We need to encourage the students to understand the merits of taking as many Mathematics and Science courses as possible and those courses need to be taught by engaged and enthusiastic teachers using hands-on and minds-on activities.”
Over 50 schools were represented at the event which also featured live experiment on metals using Dalic Technology.
The fair also featured a panellist discussion which looked at the advent of science in the 21st century in comparison with science in the 19th and 20th centuries. Signed : Science Ambassadors Foundation (SAF) Marketing & Green Sustainability Director – Ebisike Ebube George.