During a press conference, the five projects that will benefit from funds allocated for the second edition of the National STEM Community Fund 2023, were announced. The aim of the National STEM community fund is to spread knowledge of STEM subjects within the community.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti emphasised on the importance of spreading STEM learning within the community. “We are continuing to increase awareness of STEM subjects since, both at present and in the future, these subjects will be indispensable in our daily lives. Therefore, it is essential that the education of STEM subjects does not stop only in schools but is also spread in the community so that people can see its benefits,” stated Azzopardi Tanti.
The Chairman of the Maltese Council for Science and Technology (MCST) Tonio Portughese stated that the Council aims to help local researchers carry out projects for the common good. He continued that this fund is not only achieving this goal, but it gives researchers the opportunity to invest their efforts within the community for the community itself.
The CEO of Esplora, Olaf Mc Kay said that “The idea behind this fund is to inspire and allow projects based on theoretical and practical aspects of these four pillars that form the STEM acronym, i.e. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; to be implemented. Projects created by the community for the community.”
The chosen projects are:
Grow Your Own – Hydroponic Gardening for Sustainable Agriculture, a STEM Education Project for the Community. Project by De La Salle College;
Beat the Wheat – Coeliac Screening for the community. Project by The Malta Association of Biomedical Scientists (MABS);
Bombs to Batoids – Filfla Nature Reserve at 35 – Legacy and state of the first Maltese Nature Reserve Project by Sharklab-Malta;
D.I.C.E. – Design, Innovate & Connect Efficiently. Project by Gozo College;
STEMmersion – Immersive learning through STEM environment. Project by Secretariat for Catholic Education.
More information can be accessed on: National STEM Community Fund 2023 – Awardees – Esplora.
