Networked approaches are key to expanding educational opportunity. After presenting to the Next Einstein Forum 2023-2024 Ambassadors, LabXchange African Growth Consultant Andrew Minor connected with NEF Ambassador Adnan Yasin and a Somaliland Teacher Ambassador cohort took root.
Although not formally recognized as a sovereign state, Somaliland has been a self-governing region of Somalia since 1991. Scholars note that Somaliland is a “beacon of relative peace” in the Horn of Africa, a region that encompasses Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Kenya, and which struggles with political violence and instability. In spite of this, access to education remains extremely limited, especially in rural areas.
The Somaliland Teacher Ambassador cohort will work to advance science education in the region. Led by master teachers Adnan Yasin, Osman Farah, and Tirsit Yetbarek, the 18 teacher ambassadors completed their three-month training program in October 2024. Ambassadors learned about creating pedagogically aligned STEM lessons using virtual learning tools and resources on LabXchange. They also developed strategies for sharing LabXchange with other educators in their communities, as well as their own students.
Looking ahead, Master Teacher Tirsit Yetbarek shares, “I hope to create content that will be beneficial for other teachers, making the LabXchange platform more resourceful to local curriculum needs. I aim to inspire many teachers in my country and meet as many as possible.” We are grateful for the efforts of the Somaliland Teacher Ambassador cohort, and look forward to strengthening STEM education in the region together for years to come.
Hear from teacher ambassadors about their passion for STEM education:
“Teaching allows me to share my passion for STEM and pass on the curiosity and excitement that first inspired me. I aim to heighten students’ interest in STEM by making it engaging and relevant to their lives, showing them the possibilities that science, technology, engineering, and math hold.”
—Yahye Moumin
“My interest in STEM started with simple childhood curiosity: 'How does the world work?' I was fascinated by how plants grew, why the sky changed colors, and what made machines move. Science and technology felt like a way to unlock these mysteries. That curiosity grew as I explored biology and chemistry in school, where I realized STEM isn’t just about answers—it’s about asking the right questions and solving real-world problems. That’s what inspired me to pursue it and share this passion as an educator.”
—Osman Hassan
“Growing up in Somaliland, where resources were limited and access to advanced education could be scarce, I saw how important STEM was in solving real-life problems. It wasn’t just about learning from textbooks, but about applying knowledge to address the challenges in my community. I became interested in STEM because it felt like a way to make a tangible difference—whether it was finding ways to improve water access, create sustainable solutions, or bring educational opportunities to IDPs. I realized that STEM offers the tools to innovate and tackle the issues that many people around me face every day.”
—Nasra Mohamed
“The best advice I’ve received about being an educator is to always prioritize building relationships with my students. Establishing a strong connection creates a supportive classroom environment where students feel safe to express themselves, ask questions, and engage in learning.”
—Awo Elmi
Thank you and congratulations to the 18 teacher ambassadors who participated in this cohort!
Interested in learning more about LabXchange’s educator programming? Would you like to serve as a teacher ambassador? Visit our Educator Community page or join our educator discussion groups on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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