Muscat: Eshraqa, the Corporate Social Responsibility Arm of Khimji Ramdas, has announced an online ‘Stemazone’ summer camp in collaboration with Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY) through Children’s Museum & Ministry of Education (MoE). The summer camp that started on the 4th of July will go on till 5th of August 2021.

Launched by Eshraqa, Stemazone is a unique educational programme that introduces Omani children to the wonderful world of STEAM; Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. Eshraqa has partnered with Sultanate of Oman’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY), Ministry of Education (MoE) and Children’s Museum to lead this initiative. The partnership signifies an innovative strategy aimed towards inspiring young Omanis to enter STEAM fields and set them on the pathway from an early age. Stemazone initiative is in line with Oman Vision 2040, which emphasizes on building a knowledge economy. 

The online Stemazone summer camps have been conceived to be active and engaging sessions of creativity for kids. They are designed in an interactive way, with a focus on developing children’s skills and knowledge on coding, electronics, 3D design, IOT, smart cities, and design thinking. The sessions also aim to build confidence, teach public speaking, and imbibe leadership, teamwork, and collaboration skills.

The summer camps to be held in three phases will encourage children to be lifelong learners, critical thinkers, action-takers, and global citizens.

Targeting children between the ages 06 to 12 years, phase-I of the summer camp will include 120 students from the public. 

120 students aged between 06 to 12 years from Museums Friends and public will participate in phase-II.

The first two phases will focus on basic programming concepts of coding.

The third phase will be held in collaboration with the Innovation Centers in the governorates of Al Batinah South, Al Batinah North and Al Dhahira. 150 students from the age of 13 to 15 years will work in groups to design a smart city by applying what they learn during workshops. At the end of the programme each group will present their design for a smart city of which one will be selected as a winner.

Students will be contacted by the museums and innovation centres from their database for the second and third phase. 

Nailesh Khimji, Director, Khimji Ramdas, said, “The Stemazone summer camps aim to develop students’ skills, mindsets, and experiences through coding activities, design challenges, and group projects. We are pleased to be able to offer programming tailored towards different age groups so that these children can gain skills and have fun in an age appropriate setting. We believe that these kind of camps are a great combination of education and fun to plant the seeds that develop into a love of learning.”

The online learning platform (www.stemazoneoman.om) enables students to learn, attend innovative online STEAM workshops and access live webinars. Students will have to register themselves to check course structure or to book a slot at webinars.

Eshraqa, works towards nation building at the grassroots and aspires to significantly contribute towards the education sector by building infrastructure that will lead to enhancing knowledge, skills and capabilities.