Suriname’s educational landscape witnessed a transformative event as the inaugural STEM Convention for children aged 3-14 erupted with excitement at the Assuria Highrise this Monday. Hundreds of young participants immersed themselves in interactive experiments, engineering challenges, and technological demonstrations, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s educational development.
Organized through a collaborative effort between Surinaams Knutselhoekje (HSKH) and Esport Suriname, the convention transformed the venue into a dynamic learning laboratory. Children engaged with diverse stations featuring homemade lava lamps using cooking oil and effervescent tablets, constructed electric propellers from scratch, and operated full-feature racing simulators with steering wheels and pedal systems. This hands-on approach provided tangible introductions to fundamental principles of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Leann Djohari of HSKH explained the pedagogical philosophy behind the event: “STEM education fundamentally revolves around experiential learning. Children achieve deeper conceptual understanding when they physically execute tasks themselves. They observe immediate consequences of their actions—performing A results in B—which reinforces knowledge retention and develops critical cause-effect reasoning skills.”
The convention’s practical methodology manifested through multiple engaging zones. Under the guidance of young instructors and digital tutorials, participants assembled functional robots, programmed basic devices, and explored electrical engineering concepts. A chemistry laboratory attracted considerable attention with interactive experiments, while a dedicated virtual reality zone allowed children to experience immersive digital environments.
Founded by Cherelys Dwarkasing, HSKH has spent five years democratizing STEM education throughout Suriname. The organization visits a different district each quarter to ensure nationwide accessibility. This year’s convention coincidentally aligned with HSKH’s anniversary, adding celebratory significance to the event.
Djohari declared the initiative an overwhelming success: “We anticipated approximately 300 children, but attendance substantially exceeded our projections.” She emphasized that STEM education extends beyond technical skills: “It cultivates creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication—abilities increasingly essential in our rapidly evolving technological landscape. Early exposure better prepares children for future challenges, embodying the principle that early learning establishes lasting foundations.”
Buoyed by the enthusiastic response, organizers indicate this inaugural event will likely catalyze expanded STEM initiatives throughout Suriname. HSKH aims to foster scientific and technical proficiency at a pace matching the boundless curiosity of children who exclaimed “Waaw!” throughout Monday’s groundbreaking convention.