Empowering Youth: Esports’ Impact on STEM Education

Today’s guest is Jadesola Adedeji Co-Founder of STEM METS in Lagos, Nigeria, who prides herself on being a life-long learner.

In this episode of "The Gamers Change Lives Podcast," Jadesola Adedeji, co-founder of STEM-METS, discusses her journey and the transformative impact of STEM education in Nigeria. Jadesola highlights the outdated education system she encountered upon returning to Nigeria and explains how she founded STEM Mets to address this issue. By incorporating practical and engaging learning methods, she equips students with interdisciplinary skills applicable in various sectors. Jadesola emphasizes the importance of empowering girls and women in STEM and shares how STEM-METS encourages their participation through workshops and training opportunities. Her work aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on quality education, reducing inequality, and promoting gender equality.

Jadesola sheds light on the cultural biases and stereotypes that hinder women's participation in STEM fields and emphasizes the need for change and more career choices. She shares her experiences attending international events and the Women in Tech conference, which fuel her curiosity and passion for lifelong learning. Jadesola also explores the connection between esports and STEM, recognizing the potential for esports to engage and educate young people. She addresses the gender disparity in esports and the importance of education and awareness in breaking down stereotypes. STEM-METS actively promotes esports through programs, information sessions, and partnerships, aiming to change perceptions and inspire more girls to participate.

She shares a success story of a student who started at STEM-METS and pursued robotics engineering in university. They discuss the upcoming STEM Festival, which includes an e-sports event and competition, highlighting the importance of partnerships and community education. Jadesola emphasizes the need for educating parents about esports and dispelling misconceptions. They explore the connection between curiosity, esports, and STEM education, stressing the importance of inspiring children's imagination and breaking down mental barriers. Jadesola discusses the involvement of local e-sports companies and partnerships with organizations to bring expertise and content to their programs. The conversation concludes with a focus on the positive impact of esports entrepreneurship and the need to spread awareness about STEM Mets' initiatives. Listeners are encouraged to visit the STEM Mets website and social media platforms for more information and participation opportunities.

Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/empowering-youth-esports-impact-on-stem-education

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Featured in this episode:

Jadesola Adedeji

I am a social entrepreneur with a dream to change what education looks like in Nigeria.

STEM METS Resources provides 21st century skills training for children using S.T.E.M. based activities to develop skills for the future workplace.

After a 20-year career in the pharmaceutical industry, my foray into education was borne out of a desire to engage my own children in meaningful and creative enrichment programs and by extension, a desire to extend the opportunities and benefits of such programs to other children in my community.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jadesola-adedeji-31b34392/

Website: https://stem-mets.com/

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PRODUCTION:

Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/

Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.

This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.

In Season Three our theme is “Building a Business: Esports 101”.

I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?

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