The UPSA main Auditorium in Accra was the venue for the Annual Impact Roundtable and Robotics Competition, taking place from February 26-28, 2024.

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Here, the spotlight shone on the impactful initiatives of the Yamoransa Model Labs (YM Labs), which have been generously supported by the Helping Africa Foundation (HAF).

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Under the theme "Investing in the Future: The Yamoransa Model Labs Program," Implementers organized the event. It drew participants from a diverse range of educational institutions, with renowned schools such as the Presbyterian Boys School and Achimota High School among the attendees.

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The event kicked off with an engaging quiz competition involving Junior and Senior High Schools from different labs. This set the stage for three days filled with insightful discussions and innovative displays.

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On day two, roundtable discussions and a robotics exhibition took center stage. Fourteen STEAM labs showcased projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These projects, which ranged from solar electrification to smoke detection devices, underscored the students' ingenuity and dedication to addressing societal challenges.

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Throughout the event, prominent figures such as Nana Gyamfi, Executive Director of CENDLOS, and Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke, President of the Association of Ghana Industries, stressed the importance of fostering collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity within Ghana's educational system.

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Dr. Ayim-Darke, who serves as the promoter for Yamoransa Lab 6, emphasized the opportunity for collaboration with the business community. He highlighted the alignment of their profit-driven nature with the goals of YM Labs.

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The discussions at AIRTAD '24 emphasized the necessity for partnerships to amplify the impact of STEAM education.

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Dr. William Owusu Oduro of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) stressed the significance of collaborations between innovators and private sector entities to facilitate the market introduction of innovations.

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Emmanuel Baidoo, representing AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi, commended the practical implementation of ideas presented at the event. He highlighted the remarkable contributions made by individuals from local communities.

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A standout feature of the event was the Robotics competition, which showcased the students' ingenuity and problem-solving abilities.

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In the Junior High School category, YM Lab 7 from the Oti Region of Ghana emerged as the victor.

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In the Senior High School category, YM Lab Gambia clinched victory, prevailing over strong competition from Ghanaian schools such as Presec-Legon, Aburi Girls, and Labone Senior High in the finals.

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The champions were rewarded with Educational Funds, cash prizes, laptops, and tablets, underscoring their dedication to fostering talent and innovation.

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The event drew participation from various stakeholders, including representatives from the Ghana Education Service (GES) and notable figures such as Bright Yaw Atiase from the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) and Ms. Dania Toyin from the Ghana Science & Tech Explorer Challenge Prize.

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