Dr. Adetola Salau is a social innovator and educator, who is passionate about applying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills to break the cycle of poverty in Africa, most especially in Nigeria.
She is driven by the desire to prepare students in Africa for the future and does this by teaching them how to innovate solutions that will propel their economic prosperity.
She has a B.Sc in Chemistry (Honors) (Fordham), an M.Sc in Engineering Management, and another M.Sc in Chemical Engineering. Both are from Syracuse University. She has a Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction and the Science of Learning from the University at Buffalo, State University of New York.
She was selected to participate in the 2018 Spring Cohort of the MIT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Bootcamp. She is part of a global focus group at the Smithsonian Science Education Center relating to STEM Education for Sustainable Development (STEM4SD.) She is a Moving Worlds Institute Fellow.
Adetola is the author of 10 books on STEM education, including ‘Re-engineering Minds for Innovative Thinking’ and ‘Future Readiness in Education, and is also a contributor to several journals and opinion eds.
She is also the recipient of several scholarships and awards, including International Internship University’s Africa award for Excellence (2022)GSE Dean’s Scholarship for Educational Diversity and Excellence, 2019 -2020; Ambassador of STEM Award (2017); African Quality Award – in recognition of achievement and immense contribution to Human Capital Development (2017)– International Summit of Leaders, April (2018); Award of Excellence – Teachers are the Future Conference (2019).
She began her career as a public school teacher in New York, teaching mathematics. In 2016, she founded Carisma4U Educational Foundation as a way of advocating for STEM education. Her organization organizes STEM education programs, such as boot camps and outreaches, to help young people embrace STEM subjects as critical tools for improving lives and driving development. Most of these free programs are targeted towards children in low-income communities, especially girls, who would ordinarily not be able to afford such.
In January 2020, Adetola was appointed the Senior Special Assistant on Education to the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria.
In her role, she partners with stakeholders in various settings to solve challenges in the education space, particularly by infusing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) into the academic curriculum. She also mobilizes and oversees training teams that deliver STEAM training to teachers. This also includes overseeing and designing training programs for school practitioners and multidisciplinary teams related to the design, implementation, and evaluation of STEM practices.
She aspires to continue to be a leading force in education revitalization in Nigeria and Africa, specifically in STEM. In this interview below, Dr. Adetola Salau spoke with CityPeople’s OYINLOLA SALE on encouraging the girl child to get attracted to Stem Courses.
As the Founder of Carisma4U Educational Foundation with international exposure in STEM, what would you describe as the best approach to enable a girl child to get attracted to STEM courses?
There are lots of ways that we can encourage girls to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) courses and careers: they may have been discouraged by their teachers, or peers or simply fear STEM subjects. This could be reversed by providing access to STEM activities, clubs, and events, that aid their learning more about STEM and its relevance to their lives.
They are more likely to pursue STEM subjects if they feel welcome and supported in their learning at school and outside school. By creating a positive and inclusive learning environment, we can help girls in becoming more confident and engaged in STEM subjects. At times it’s because girls, don’t identify with them. They see it as alien to being feminine.
By introducing girls to role models who are successful in STEM careers, we aid them to see myriads of possibilities.
Would you say that the Nigerian system is responsible for the way STEM Courses are being handled in higher institutions of learning?
Unfortunately learning in lots of our African universities still occur in lecture halls and prizes the ability to regurgitate what has been largely learnt. Research from Nobel Prize-winning physicist, Carl Wieman shows that this is an ineffective way of learning.
Effective learning requires three factors: First, the ability of students to reflect upon what they are learning. Second, true learning happens when students stop being passive receivers of information and become active explorers. Third, learning occurs during the application of theories. I always tell people that I love project-based learning to pieces because I have discovered that as the best way to test a student’s comprehension of what they are doing. Actually working on an activity, receiving feedback about it, re-strategizing and re-doing it also builds neural pathways for retrieval and association.
However, it’s important to note that educational systems around the world face many challenges when it comes to promoting and supporting STEM education. Some common challenges include a lack of funding, insufficient teacher training and resources, and inadequate infrastructure.
Universities are the launching pad for a society’s aspirations. African universities must produce future-ready leaders who will solve the continent’s problems.
What are the effective ways of adding value to the delivery of STEM in higher institutions of learning?
By partnering with companies and organizations in STEM fields, higher education institutions can provide students with real-world experience and help them to develop the skills that are in demand in the job market. Lots of students learn best through hands-on experiences, and STEM education is no exception. Higher education institutions can provide students with opportunities to work on real-world problems, conduct research, or participate in internships and other experiential learning opportunities. This is something that I am working hard to create opportunities for our students in our public schools in my role as the political aide to the Governor of Lagos State on Education.
Could there be a proper way of making STEM attractive in schools?
I have never subscribed to a singular way of doing things, there are various ways we can tune students into STEM. From my experience incorporating activities such as labs, field trips, and projects can be effective. Providing students with access to resources such as computers, software, and scientific equipment can help to engage them in STEM learning.
Going beyond infrastructure, a bigger part of STEM engagement is the mindset of students- working on how they think about problems/challenges/opportunities around them.
Ensuring that STEM education is inclusive and welcoming to all students, regardless of their background or identity, can help increase participation and success in STEM fields.
Hunting for jobs has been frustrating as Nigeria’s system does not enable most graduates to practice their desired skilled job hence the Search for Greener Pasture otherwise known as JAPA. The implication of this is huge. As an experienced STEM expert, what solution would you proffer as solutions to enable Nigeria and Nigerians to gain the right STEM approach?
One potential solution is to focus on training and education programs that help graduates develop the skills that are in demand in the job market. This could include technical skills, such as programming or data analysis, as well as soft skills, such as communication and problem-solving. The private sector can also play a role in addressing the skills gap. Companies can invest in training and development programs for their employees, or partner with educational institutions to help develop curricula that better prepare students for the workforce. Finally, it may be helpful to improve resources and support for job seekers in Nigeria. This could include job search websites, career counseling services, and networking events, to help connect job seekers with job opportunities.
Focus on boosting skills and creating an enabling environment in a nutshell.
How is Carisma4U EducationalFoundation impacting lives?
Carisma4U is an organization that focuses on the transformation of the educational system, especially STEM education in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. We are involved in the consensus creation, orientation, and adaptation of STEM educational pedagogy of our target institutions.
What challenges do you encounter on a daily basis? And how do you proffer solutions?
Mindset reset issues dealing with an insistence that ‘this how we have always done things.’ Going behind problems, seeing them as challenges to be overcome by creativity and problem solving. Collaborating with experienced folks who have worked in the sector previously, picking their brains on solutions they have utilized before. These experienced folks are people in the development sector especially in the area of education.
What are the duties and responsibilities that your position as the SSA on Education to Gov. Sanwo-Olu entail?
As the SSA on Education, I have been overseeing the STEAMUP Lagos project. It was designed under the auspices of my office as an intervention that incorporates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Its goal is to infuse the ideals of a globally unified STEAM curriculum; making learning fun, accessible, sustainable, relatable to learners, while imbibing in them critical thinking ability, problem identification & solving skills, collaboration and creativity in designing solutions to identified challenges in society. This project is designed to cultivate the worldwide STEAM pedagogy into the THEMES agenda as part of the mandate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu promised the people of Lagos on ensuring quality education is delivered and meets global standards.
What footprint would you be leaving behind as SSA?
The achievements of the STEAMUP Lagos Intervention are as follows;
SEA HUB Training program by GIZ
2nd National SEA HUB Exhibition and Competition 2022- Lagos State emerged as winners and 2nd place respectively. Also Most Creative Business Plan award
Lagos State Students Entrepreneurship Activity Hub Exhibition and Competition by GIZ
STEAM Drone and Artificial Intelligence Training and Workshops
Africa’s First Drone Soccer Competition with the US Consulate Lagos
STEM Princess Bootcamp (Epe, Yaba and Agege (more planned in other areas across the State)
STEAM UP LAGOS teacher STEM sensitization program in collaboration with TESCOM and SUBEB Lagos State agencies.
STEAMFUN FEST in collaboration with various STEM organizations — program for students across Lagos State about STEAM education and its benefits for students.
Internet connectivity to schools across Lagos State driving digital literacy in partnership with HIS towers
Partnership with the Smithsonian Museum Science Institute, Washington, DC to aid efforts in the infusion of STEM/STEAM into Lagos State Curriculum. (on-going)
Climate Change Superheroes outreach in partnership with Green Hub Africa and Sterling Bank
Girls in STEM initiative- in partnership with Open Data Access Centers and the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce
EKO STEM Quiz- in collaboration with the State Lottery Board agency
US Consulate Lagos creation of STEAM lab at Ifaeko Ijaye for the winners of Drone competition to drive STEAM education in the community for students.
Partnership with Engineering World Health of Texas. To drive students’ comprehension of public health issues globally
Climate change and sustainability programs sponsored by Access bank
STEAM Infusion training for Junior Secondary school teachers from 10 schools in District 4, Lagos State with WhyBlueSky- an international STEAM organization in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Education.
Can you recollect fond memories of your early childhood?
Lots of fond memories. One of my favorites was going to my parents’ offices to visit them, my mom was the Head of the Department of Geography at the University of Port Harcourt, my dad was the acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Port Harcourt. Visiting their offices showed me what public service entailed working for the good of others who have no one that listens to them. listen. In their needs or concerns. Some of the lessons from watching them interact with the people who came to see them linger with me to this day, how lives were changed through their interaction and intervention.
Another fond memory I have is that of my parents hosting the Christmas party for the children of the university when my dad was VC. My dad was a Muslim and he thought nothing of celebrating the joy of the season with the children and their parents who brought them. I remember feeling proud of watching them dance with the children.
