Project Context
Located in the heart of Aley, Maroun Abboud Secondary School is a public institution which brings together around 600 students.
In light of the rapidly changing world and the scarcity of resources accessible to Lebanese youth, this school community was determined to enhance STEAM education. They identified the necessity in bridging the gap between traditional academic learning and technological innovations to propel their students into the career paths they aspire for.
One of the school’s primary objectives was to encourage students to proactively address their community’s needs, instilling in them the mindset of collaborative work and mutual responsibility.
Now, Maroun Abboud Secondary School in Lebanon has established a STEAM Lab, which is now among the rare public institutions in the country to offer students a diverse range of digital technical skills and promote critical thinking.
Project Description
To achieve their project goals to solve community challenges through STEAM, the school was matched with two partners. The first organization was Inspace, which fosters creativity and innovation through the implementation of design thinking while utilizing a space full of equipment for their community solutions; makerspace. The second partner was Codebrave, specializing in coding and website development.
A major goal was to amplify the students’ Maker Mindset, empowering them to solve problems creatively, communicate effectively, and build their leadership skills.
The STEAM Lab committee was made of three trained teachers, community members, and 50 secondary students trained on web development, design thinking and 3D printing. To ensure project sustainability along with knowledge and skills transfer, students documented their overall transformative project by creating manuals and guides based on the skills they have acquired. They also developed a training program for their peers with the support of our partners a
As such, students from different grades were introduced to the Lab and had the opportunity to choose one of many interesting projects: coding, robotics, 3D printing, and crafts. They worked in teams on assignments and developed personal projects, supporting and empowering one another throughout the process.
Their work has manifested nafda’s values, especially with their cooperation and commitment to solve community challenges
Achievements to Date
- The number of students that participated in the project doubled, reaching a total of 125 youth.
- The students have built many robotic models including self-navigating robotic cars with sensors to avoid accidents.
- Through WordPress, the students have designed, launched, and sold online websites to local businesses in Aley, including a flower shop, to help build and market their brand
- The students treated the lab like their home, with some parents’ help. Some were taught how to sew and they created curtains to work more comfortably in their space.
- The students developed their own website that describes their makerspace. It includes the areas they have worked on in their STEAM Lab; Sewings and Crafts, Mechatronics, 3D Printing, and Programming and Website Building.
The Human Heartbeat
The students’ hard work has allowed them to be invested in projects they have worked on and the Lab they have led. The senses of good governance and engaged citizenship were highlighted at Maroun Abboud Secondary School, where determination and creativity guided their journey with nafda.
Despite the school closures due to strikes, the students were determined to go to school and work on their projects Empowered by their principal, the students did not stop attending their lessons, and were willing to go the extra mile in order to succeed and finalize their work. No matter the challenges they are faced with, the students at Maroun Abboud Secondary School are always finding solutions to overcome the obstacles that may come in their way.