Nigeria - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Samasa School of STEAM is an educational institution which will prioritize the knowledge application of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Learning will be hands on or active with performance based evaluation.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Samasa School of Steam is a learning institution that is aimed at bridging the gap between theory and practice. It's major focus is to groom learners in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics by integrating all the subjects in the curriculum. The school will have classes from grade 1 to 12 where the learners will be introduced to STEAM concepts right from elementary classes. Lesson concepts will be activity based and hands on, allowing learners to apply theoretical concepts into solving real life problems.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

The standard of education in Nigeria is low and this is evident in the increase in number of graduands but decrease in job opportunities. Even with the few job opportunities, there are no skilled personnels to fill in the gap. Samasa School of STEAM wants to address this problem by building a school where learners are not only equipped with theoretical concepts but with the ability to apply these concepts learned in solving real life problems. Some of the major causes of this problem includes: 1. Lack of qualified and effective teachers 2. Local education 3. Poor school infrastructures 4. Lack of well equipped science and computer laboratory 5. Poor instructional materials

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

Samasa School of STEAM is the best school that can solve this problem through the provision of all the needed resources and man power. It is willing to apply a different approach to it's curriculum in alignment with World leading educational curriculum such as that of Singapore, United States of America, Finland and international baccalaureate. Samasa School of STEAM is willing to employ qualified and professional teachers, use curriculum with international standards, provide better facilities and world class teaching and learning resources. Enrolling learners at Samasa School of STEAM will produce globally competent citizens who are not only equipped with the knowledge of the 21st century skills, but with their applications as well.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

This project is targeted at the general public especially working class parents or guardians who want to enroll their children in primary and secondary schools. It is also targeted at school leavers or tertiary institutions students or graduands who are willing to acquire various skills that will add values to their certificates.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2019-09-25

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

1

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Akinyele Samuel is an educationist with a BSc in Economics from Kogi State University, Nigeria and a postgraduate diploma in education from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria. He is certified with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria and has seven years experience as a teacher both at elementary, middle and high school. He is also a talented artist with excellent works of art made by charcoal pencil, oil on canvas, pastel chalk and coloured portraits. His passion in art has led him to develop learners skills in tye and dye, painting, drama and many other works of art. Asabah Sa'adatu Bokah holds a BSc in Biochemistry from Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nigeria, a postgraduate diploma in education from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria and a master of education in advance teaching from University of the People, Pasadena, California, USA. She is certified by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria and has five years experience as a STEM teacher.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

c) Industry (equipment, commercial, logistical and professional services, transport)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Education provides people with the knowledge and skills that is required to gain employment and have a better standard of living. Samasa School of STEAM, offers these services. It's major aim is to provide graduands who have the skills to be employed as well as become innovative. Thus, providing food and other amenities needed for better standard of living.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

The nature of Samasa School of STEAM services, is to provide education for sustainability. These teaching and learning approaches will provide our learners with the opportunity to analyze issues and come up with possible solutions to them. For instance, our curriculum will contain concepts which can relate population growth with food production and supply. It will also include courses such as crop and animal improvement that can lead to high production rates.

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

The learning contents of the curriculum at Samasa School of STEAM will also include contents that deal with good health and general well being. The knowledge will be extended to the community through awareness campaigns and sensitization.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

What Samasa School of STEAM stands for is 'quality education'. The school is not only after providing education but a quality one which will have life long effects and produce life long learners. It will ensure that facilities and resources are provided that will cater to diverse needs of learners.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Education is an equal right of every child and Samasa School of STEAM wants to ensure that all learners are given equal opportunities and trained equally. Being a mixed school, Samasa School of STEAM welcomes learners of various gender.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Topics on clean water and sanitation will be inculcated in the school's curriculum with hands on activities that will involve learners designing and developing prototypes filter systems, keeping the environment clean and sensitization the community at large on the importance of sanitation

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

6

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

To ensure affordable and clean energy, learners will be educated on renewable and no renewable resources and how they can be used to generate energy. Learners will be involve in activities that can generate clean energy

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Samasa School of STEAM will train learners to be skilled and competent. This cam lead to decent employment and increase economic growth.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

In Samasa School of STEAM, learners will be taught to be creative and innovative. They will work on projects that have the tendency to proffer solutions to various problem.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Learners will be taught to be globally competent citizens who recognize that the challenges the world faces are interdependent and that our choices and actions may have repercussions for people and communities locally and globally. Samasa School of STEAM will provide learners with the opportunities to engage in open, appropriate and effective interactions with people from different cultures. They will take active roles to make the world just, peaceful, inclusive and sustainable.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

The school will ensure that it's activities are safe for the community. Learners will ensure that human settlements are in no way disrupted due to their activities as they would have various competent personnels to guide them.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Learners at Samasa School of STEAM will be engaged in activities that involve recycling of materials to ensure responsible consumption and production.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

To combat climate change, learners will be engaged in awareness campaigns and sensitization to the community on the dangers of climate change to the ecosystem. Climate education will be an integral part of the curriculum with various activities that will demonstrate it's effects on the environment.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

As part of the curriculum, learners will be taught conservation of natural resources such as the oceans, and local rivers. They curriculum will cover the benefits of conserving life below water and measures to be taken that will ensure that life below water is conserved.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

The curriculum will include contents such as ecological management which will cover topics that explain the importance of protecting terrestrial habitats, forest management and the ecosystem.

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

Peace education will also be an integral part of the curriculum. Learners will be taught the values of peaceful existence and inclusion. Samasa School of STEAM also covers 'Art' which will be used as a tool to promote peace and justice.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

The driving force behind Samasa School of STEAM will be the sustainable development goals. All the goals will be an integral part of our curriculum and will ensure that by 2030, the goals are achieved.

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

5

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

4

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

4

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

There are a lot of private schools in the Country. However Samasa School of STEAM will be the first international standard school in Lokoja, Kogi State part of Nigeria with a focus on the practical application of knowledge. The schools operate on the local or National curriculum but Samasa School of STEAM is going to be using World best curriculum such as that of Singapore, Canada, International Baccalaureate, and United States Next generation science standards which emphasizes on practicals. Usually, advance educational practices such as projects, designing, exhibitions and development are left for and after tertiary institutions but SSS wants to lay the foundation from the primary level of education so that by the time the learners are in the secondary level, they would have mastered how to easily apply knowledge to solve problems. Our students will see knowledge in the making and wouldn't have to memorize for National or West African exams, or depend on examination malpractice.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

OUR COMPETITORS 1. Julitola International School 2. Baptist High School 3. Majesty International College 4. Kelien International School 5. Scintillate International School Harmony Nursery, Primary and Secondary School WHAT WE HAVE THAT THEY DON'T HAVE Samasa School of STEAM will have: 1. An international curriculum 2. Safe and comfortable learning environment 3. Standard teaching and learning facilities 4. Charge lesser tuition but provide better services 5. Prioritize knowledge application 6. Extracurricular activities and an inclusive environment 7. Offer learners opportunities to write English language test and gain scholarships for further studies in advance Countries.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Not yet