EduSpots

🔥 The EduSpots team are busy preparing to relaunch the IGNITE programme, kicking off with six residential and online training Academies! 💥 The programme kicks off on Friday Takoradi, followed by Academies in Tamale, Techiman, Akumadan, Ho and online, where Catalysts are equipped with knowledge and skills across pedagogy, project management and teamwork, with a focus on collaborative learning, digital skills and Keeping Spots Safe. 💚 Following this, the Catalysts receive mentoring, resource kits, monthly challenges, flexible grant funding and regular visits from staff. 📱 Tablets and wifi kits are also distributed to enable learners and Catalysts access online resources and tools, alongside EduSpots' app through which which the programmes are facilitated. 📚 Through EduSpots' model, Catalysts are supported in running the Spots which open up access to resources, study spaces and mentorship, positioned in either schools or communities. 💡 Catalysts are supporting in choosing clubs for learners from EduSpots' learner 'strands' of early years education (EduKidz), STEM and sustainability education (EcoSTEM), gender equity (Ignite Equity) and digital and literacy skills (DigiLit), each targeting different basic level ages groups. 🙌 In addition to this, the Catalyst teams join monthly leadership training sessions, and engage in 'Spot Lead' challenges across themes such as team building, community engagement and resource mobilisation. 🌠 In 2025, an anticipated 3000 basic level learners will join EduSpots' clubs, with an estimated wider 12,000 individuals using the EduSpots' spaces, run by voluntary community-based teams of Catalysts. 🗣️ Abudu Gifty, a local nurse who has been a Catalyst at Akumadan Spot since 2020, commented, "The Ignite Programme is a fantastic opportunity for Catalysts to tap into the collective knowledge and expertise of our community. I'm eager to share my experience and help shape the next generation of Catalysts." 🗣️ Akofa Wallace, from a new Spot in Ho-Kpenoe, said: “As a Catalyst in a new Spot, I’m excited to be participating in the Ignite Conference so we can learn how we can best serve and mobilize the Ho-Kpenoe community so our young people have increased access to education - their basic human right, which in turn will give them a chance to dream a new dream for their future and give them a fighting chance out of poverty.” 🙏 This programme has been funded with support from King Charles III Charitable Fund, The Chalk Cliff Trust, The Allen and Nesta Ferguson Trust, The Farthing Trust, The Fonthill Foundation, The Gower Street Trust and the mc2h foundation, alongside other supporters. With thanks to the Gratitude Network, Varkey Foundation, Dovetail Impact Foundation, Book Aid International for all their support in bringing us this far! You can follow the Ignite Programme launch on @eduspots on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, and @edu_spots on Instagram. Let's IGNITE! 🔥 #education #community

😄 I'm sure some of my managers would smile when they see me saying this! (Thanks Faad Abdul-Rahman for taking my words and making a #MondayMotivation graphic!) In my early career, I was certainly someone who was wanting to do 101 things, getting frustrated when seemingly impactful ideas were rejected. However, when leading enthusiastic teams there will be many super ideas for driving change that are given. But to drive long-term, meaningful impact you have to know how your particular pathway sits alongside other actors in a process of change. You also need to involve the team in identifying and aligning actions and ideas to specific defined and targeted outcomes. 💥 Saying this, unexpected outcomes can often emerge through a model, and these are important to observe and potentially lean further into. 🛤️ To stay on track you need to know the ultimate goal you have as an organisation, and which changes you are best positioned to make on the journey towards that outcome. 📝 What do you do, to help your team to stay on track with defined goals? Share below! ↙️ #change #strategy #partnerships #collaboration

Check out this homemade rain guage made by learners from Nkonya Spot to measure rainfall in their community. After observing the weather, they wrote down brief summaries of what they observed. This exercise encouraged them to use their observation and critical thinking skills as well as practical science skills. How to Make and Use a Rain Gauge A rain gauge is simply a container that collects rain water in order to measure the amount of rainfall in an area over a period of time. 1. Use a recycled plastic bottle, glass jar, or other container for the body of the rain gauge 2. The sides of the container should be straight all the way up, i.e., they shouldn’t get narrower or wider. The bottom of the container should be flat 3. Place the rain gauge in an open area (e.g, away from trees or other covered areas). You may want to push your rain gauge into the soil to make it a bit more stable or place stones around it to support it. 4. At the end of each day, use a ruler to measure how much water was collected. Remember to empty out the rain gauge at the end of each day! #eduspots #practicalscience #science #STEMLearning ##stemeducation #ourcollectivefuture

For our EduKidz October challenge, learners had the oppotunity to dive into the incredible world of animals 🌍🦁 They explored animal habitats, unique characteristics of animals, and brought animals to life through art! Scroll through to see these amazing masterpieces from Dadwen Spot showing us some of the amazing worlds they discovered 🐘🦜🐠 This is an amazing activity to learn cool facts about animals and their habitats. Our EduKidz Clubs are a nurturing and stimulating environment designed to foster the growth and development of young learners between Kindergarten and Primary 3 in our Spot communities. #eduspots #KidsArt #AnimalWorld #CreativeLearning #WildImagination #KidsCreativity

🔥 We are excited to share EduSpots' Annual Report for 2023 - a remarkable year for EduSpots! 👀 Take a read, or share this link with others who may be interested in supporting our work: https://lnkd.in/dkqbEcYH This report is dedicated to our network of over 400 local Catalysts, who continue to lead dynamic change in their communities through education. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has been involved in EduSpots' work in 2023, and beyond! 🦋 What was your EduSpots' highlight of the year for 2023? Comment below! ⬇️ 🥂 Here's to... hashtag #OurCollectiveFuture! #annualreport #yearinreview #education

📣 I'm excited to share EduSpots' Annual Report for 2023 - a transformative year for EduSpots! 🔥 Here are 10 remarkable highlights from the year, detailed in the report: 1. Launch of the Ignite Programme, engaging over 260 Catalysts in structured leadership training programme for the first time through 4 regional Academies, online training, mentorship, WhatsApp communities and more! 2. The introduction of new 'strands' for EduKidz (early years education), Ignite Girls (girls' empowerment), and Spot Lead (teamwork and community development). 3. The formalisation of our 'monthly challenge' system, through which across 5 strands learners (and Catalysts) are engaged in team-based practical projects, which they submit, ahead of receiving feedback from staff with a (friendly, yet competitive) points system! 4. The introduction of the Inspire Mentoring programme, drawing 7 Catalysts from the network into semi-staff roles, supporting fellow Catalysts in their EduSpots' engagement. 5. With special thanks to Kwabena Ayirebi, Wanderlust Ghana chose to support EduSpots in a 10,000km 'Drive for Digitalisation' from Accra - London, in a campaign that went viral and featured on BBC News. 6. Our annual income more than doubled, with thanks to significant new grant support from mc2h foundation, Educational Opportunity Foundation, and many other remarkable existing and new supports. 7. Our staff team grew and developed considerably, consolidating a leadership level of staff, in both Ghana and the UK, with a super team ethos developed. 8. Some super new Spots joined the network and began a start-up process, including Ameyaw (Techiman), Zangbalun, New Ebu, Ahenkro, Kotokoli Zongo, Nkonya and Atsata Bame, with 100% adopted our model effectively. 9. The new Spot and Training Centre in Elmina was commissioned, with its unusual sustainable build on stilts built with support from WEbuilding e.V. 10. At the tail end of the year, Professor Gloria Agyemang agreed to take on the role of Chair of Trustees, after 3 years as a fantastic trustee. 👀 Take a read, or share this link with others who may be interested in supporting our work: https://lnkd.in/dkqbEcYH This report is dedicated to our network of over 400 local Catalysts, who continue to lead dynamic change in their communities through education. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has been involved in EduSpots' in 2023. Special mentions to Sevenoaks School, Wellington College, Book Aid International, WEbuilding e.V., Books For Africa, ImpactEd Group, The Big Give & everyone not mentioned! 🦋 What was your EduSpots' highlight of the year for 2023? Comment below! ⬇️ 🥂 Here's to... #OurCollectiveFuture! #annualreport #yearinreview #education

Celebrating Our September Catalyst of the Month: Ebenezer Essieny Yeboah!! 🏆🏆 We are delighted to announce Ebenezer Essieny Yeboah as the Catalyst of the Month for September 🏅🏅. Ebenezer happens to also be the remarkable Spot Lead at Gomoa Manso Spot. Under Ebenezer’s leadership, Gomoa Manso Spot has achieved significant milestones. His accomplishments reflect his dedication and perseverance as a Catalyst! Read on to learn about Ebenezer, via this link: https://lnkd.in/dmaaV7XT Thank you, Ebenezer, for your unwavering commitment and for being a shining example! ✨️ ✨️ ✨️ #eduspots #congratulations #achieveyourgoals #achievements #citizenship #ourcollectivefuture

The EduSpots Blooming Buds 🌿 challenge aimed to help learners understand plant parts🪴, growth, and develop a connection with nature🥗 through hands-on activities. In this practical science experiment, the learners at Agbledomi Spot worked together to troubleshoot the causes of poor plant growth, testing for issues like lack of sunlight, over/underwatering, and nutrient deficiencies. By carefully observing their plants and adjusting their care, learners gained valuable insights into meeting a plant's needs - a lesson they're excited to apply as they continue nurturing their budding greenery.🌾🌵🌿 Keep up with EduSpots' work while learning about international development, education, and ethics in our WhatsApp community of like minds. Join the community via this link: https://lnkd.in/dPmQtTeY #eduspots #community #science #experiment #learn #explore #ourcollectivefuture

For our ongoing Green Spot Innovation Challenge, Spot teams are to identify a local environment challenge and create a solution to address this challenge. Ho-Kpenoe Spot team came together to brainstorm and are developing a solution aimed at raising awareness and educating the public about the devastating consequences of bush burning on our local farmers. The winning ideas for this innovation challenge will receive grant funding to further roll out their solution. Watch out for innovative ideas coming from our Spot communities. #eduspots #innovation #greencommunity #sustainableliving #ourcollectivefuture

We are still receiving applications for these staff roles: - EcoSTEM Coordinator - Early Years Education Coordinator Do send in your application by Monday, 4th November 2024. Head to the news section of our website www.eduspots.org to read about these jobs. #eduspots #job #team #wearehiring #ourcollectivefuture