Bamenda, Cameroon – In a ground breaking initiative, 30 under-resourced young girls and women successfully completed a 06 months hands-on training program in solar…
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Sustainable Actions Afrika
SAAF seeks to educate, engage and empower
communities in Africa to build a sustainable future. Focus: STEM & TVET
Transforming trash into tools of empowerment. Inspiring young minds with STEM using recycled rubber catapults. ![]()
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Making a rubber catapult from old tires can effectively represent STEM education for young kids without resources by combining science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a fun, practical, and accessible way. Here's how it inspires and educates.![]()
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1. Science:![]()
Kids learn basic principles of physics such as force, energy, motion, and elasticity. When they pull back on the rubber, they store potential energy, which is released as kinetic energy when the catapult launches an object. This hands-on experience introduces them to real-world applications of concepts like force and trajectory.![]()
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2. Technology:![]()
Although low-tech, the use of recycled materials (such as old tires) teaches resourcefulness and innovation. They learn how technology doesn’t always have to involve complex machines but can be about how materials are repurposed to create functional tools, using what’s available.![]()
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3. Engineering:![]()
Building the catapult involves designing, constructing, and testing the device. The kids need to figure out the right frame size, the elasticity of the rubber, and how to secure the parts together. This problem-solving process mirrors the engineering design cycle—plan, build, test, and improve—instilling a mindset of continuous improvement and critical thinking.![]()
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4. Mathematics:![]()
Kids use measurement to cut materials to the right size and ensure the balance and proportions of the catapult are correct. They may even explore concepts like angles, velocity, and distance by experimenting with how far objects fly when they adjust the tension of the rubber or the angle of release. This connects math to a fun, real-world problem.![]()
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5. Inspiration and empowerment:![]()
The process of building something functional from scrap materials encourages kids to see the potential in everyday objects. It promotes creativity, showing them they don't need expensive kits or fancy tools to engage in STEM. This hands-on experience builds confidence and helps them understand that they can apply STEM knowledge to solve practical problems in their lives and communities, even with limited resources.![]()
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6. Life skills and entrepreneurial thinking:![]()
Beyond STEM, making such projects teaches kids important life skills such as collaboration, perseverance, and resourcefulness. It can also introduce them to entrepreneurial ideas—like how they could make and sell simple toys or tools, sparking an interest in small-scale business opportunities.![]()
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In essence, building something as simple as a rubber catapult can inspire kids to think like engineers, innovators, and problem solvers, showing that STEM is not limited by access to expensive technology but is rooted in creativity and practical application.![]()
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Written by Pathfinders STEM Hub, Cameroon. Text may contain some aspects of #AI![]()
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#pstemh #saafrika #stemeducation #stemforkids #handsonlearning #TransformingEducation
Today is #WorldBookDay and we are celebrating our Community STEM library hosted at Pathfinders STEM Hub, Cameroon as a project of Sustainable Actions Afrika. ![]()
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Pauline lives in Bamenda, Cameroon, where the ongoing crisis has shattered her chances of going to school. With no electricity, no phone, and no internet, Mary's access to education is severely limited. There's no local library where she can borrow books to fuel her curiosity.![]()
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As the world c#WorldBookDayrldBookDay, Mary feels left out. She longs to dive into the pages of science and explore the wonders of the world, but the barriers seem insurmountable.![]()
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Together, let's rewrite Mary's story and countless others. Join us in bringing the magic of books to those who need it most. Your donation could be the key to unlocking a brighter future for Mary and her community. ![]()
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Celebrate World Book Day by makGlobal Campaign for EducationmGlobal Partnership for EducationeWorld Literacy Foundation World Bank Africaon World Bank Africa![]()
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Read more about our STEM Community Library here: sustainableactionsafrika.org/projects/commu#STEMEducationa#WorldBookDayc#communitylibrarya#librarynitylibrary #library
On this #EarthDay, let’s remember: some of the most powerful solutions to our biggest challenges are already here like solar energy. The sun gives us abundant, clean energy every day. Yet millions of people still lack access to electricity and safe water.![]()
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Solar energy is changing that. It’s powering homes, enabling children to study at night, supporting small businesses, and providing clean drinking water in underserved communities.![]()
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At Sustainable Actions Afrika we equip young people with the skills and competencies needed to be active contributors to solving energy poverty and promote access to clean energy through our #TVET training programs.![]()
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#EarthDay #SolarEnergy #CleanEnergy #ClimateJustice #sustainabilitymatters #EarthDay2026 #OurPowerOurPlanet #EnergyTransition
From Trainee to Trainer. Happy birthday Nche Franklin Roosevelt . Wishing you more strength and wisdom as you continue to empower young Cameroonians and powering homes with clean solar energy while keep homes, businesses and institutions secured with CCTV Cameras. At Sustainable Actions Afrika we are proud of your growth and impact. ![]()
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#CelebratingSuccess #empowerment #TVET #solarpanelinstallation #Cctvinstallation
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