NAIROBI, KENYA: The  GEMS  Cambridge  International  School  has  launched  the  Lego Education  Innovation  Studio,  an  alternative  approach  to  interactive  learning.  

Designed  to  provide  a focus  point  for  innovation  and  creativity  as  well  as  21st  century  skills  such as  critical  thinking  and collaboration,  the  Innovation  Studio  is  a  total  solution  comprising  equipment,  training,  teaching  resources  and  technical  services.    

The studios  allow  teachers  to  deliver  projects  and  subject specific  lessons  centred  on  Science,  Technology,  Engineering  and  Mathematics  (STEM).  Further,  the  Innovation  Studio  offers  a  hands on  learning  approach  that  actively  involves  students  in  their  own learning  process  to  provide  an  education  for  students  that  will  last  a  lifetime.  

Speaking  as  he  officiated  at  the  launch,  Information,  Communication  and  Technology  Cabinet  Secretary Dr.  Fred  Matiang’i  lauded  GEMS  School  for  championing  a  cause  for  science  and  technology  in  Kenya’s  transformative  economy.  He  said  “As  technology  defines  the  future  of  the  world’s  economy,  it  is  imperative  that  as  a  nation  we  nurture  and  train  at  an  early  age  innovators  and  critical  thinkers  that  will  leapfrog  our  ambitions  to  be  a  middle  income  economy,”  he  added  that  “as  a  ministry,we  are  keen  on  creating  a  pool  of  future  qualified  human  resource  that  will  not  only  implement  but  more  importantly champion  innovative  change  and  as  such  we  support  and  encourage  similar  initiatives  like  the  one  we have launched.

Dr.  Matiang’i’s  sentiments  were  echoed  by  GEMS  Cambridge  International  School  CEO/Principal,  Mr.  David  McLaughlin  who  reaffirmed  GEMS  Education  commitment  to  providing  quality  education  in  Kenya.  

“The  investment  in  the  LEGO  Innovation  Studio  is  a  true  commitment  to  this  goal,  we  anticipate  that  our  students  will  be  more  passionate  about  learning  and  more  importantly,  their  social  skills,  creative  thinking  and  problem  solving  will  be  tapped  into’’.  He  further  noted  that  the  Innovation  Studio  will  be  used  to  teach  students  from  entry  level  to  A  level  as  it  has  modules  tailored  for  various  age  groups.  

Acquired  at  a  cost  of  Sh5.7  million,  the  LEGO  Innovation  Studio  was  developed  by  LEGO  Group in  1980  off  the  understanding  that  ‘good  quality  play’  enriches  a  child’s  life,  and  from  it  the  development  of  play   resources  for  use  in  schools.  35  years  later,  the  success  of  the  LEGO  education  program  is  unrivaled  globally  and  GEMS  Cambridge  International  School  becomes  the  first  institution  to  introduce  it  to  Kenya.