At LabXchange, we celebrate the tremendous potential of Africa's youth and the outstanding dedication of teachers across the continent. By 2030, young Africans are expected to make up 42 percent of the world’s youth and account for 75 percent of those under age 35 in Africa. With such a large, dynamic population, supportive policies and programs for inclusive youth development are more critical than ever. LabXchange teacher ambassadors are key to unlocking their potential.
In 2023, we launched our first pan-Africa cohort of teacher ambassadors. Benefiting from the local knowledge of our South African team, we offered a platform for African educators to share knowledge and insight locally, regionally, and globally. Led by master teachers James Selorm Agbenyo from Ghana and Sola Adeola Amudipe from Nigeria, the 26 teacher ambassadors hailed from all regions of Africa, from Cameroon to Zimbabwe.
The rigorous three-month program focused on hands-on teacher training between November 2023 and February 2024. As in all teacher ambassador cohorts, ambassadors learned to design pedagogically aligned lessons in biology, chemistry, physics, and other STEM subjects, enriched with engaging virtual learning experiences on the LabXchange platform. They also worked tirelessly to share LabXchange with other educators in their communities and networks, as well as their own students.
“One of my favorite teaching strategies, whether in-person, hybrid, or remote, is to promote active learning through regular questioning and discussions. Encouraging students to ask questions and engage in dialogues not only deepens their understanding but also keeps them actively involved in the learning process, fostering curiosity and critical thinking. It's a versatile strategy that works well in various teaching environments.”
—Sola Adeola Amudipe, Master Teacher, Nigeria
“LabXchange has helped me address challenges in my teaching practice by providing me with a wide range of flexible and engaging resources, promoting interactivity and inquiry-based learning in my students, and facilitating collaboration among my students and my colleagues.“
—Godfrey Ojiambo Odhiambo, Teacher Ambassador, Kenya
“I like bringing new ways of teaching science to students and teachers in the rural areas of Malawi where chemicals, equipment, and laboratories are not available.”
—Innocent Vincent Kapolo, Teacher Ambassador, Malawi
“I handle students with diverse learning styles and provision of personalized learning is a big challenge that LabXchange content can address.”
—Dr. Rose Atieno Mutende, Teacher Ambassador, Kenya
“Let your students know that you respect and trust them. Make them aware that they drive their own learning. Let them know that their teachers are human beings like them. If their teachers made it, why can't they?”
—Sam Donald Kareng, Teacher Ambassador, Botswana
LabXchange is built on global collaboration, and educators give our efforts purpose. Help us make high-quality STEM resources available to everyone, everywhere, by getting involved!
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