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Category: Training

STEAM Workshop

This workshop ran with the theme: Technology in Climate Action. This was both educational and very exciting. We had a simple introduction to environmental conservation, then jumped into coding.   The kids built a game where your tree only grows if you keep perfectly still. After that we shifted gears into hands-on science, exploring how CO₂ affects temperature rise in the environment. The kids ran a reaction using calcium carbonate and HCl, watching it produce water and carbon dioxide, and learning how those gases play out in the real world. We went on a deep dive into electronic components: LEDs, sensors, and microcontrollers. This showed the kids how each piece plays its part in transforming an input into a meaningful output. We then moved into full hands-on innovation where the kids assembled smart garden prototypes using Arduino boards, breadboards, soil-moisture/water meters, and wiring.

We are now O.I Lead Initiative Implementors!

We are proud to be amongst the organisations selected for the Otermans Institute initiative for Learning, Education, AI, and Development (O.I LEAD). O.I LEAD initiative strives to provide free AI Literacy training to the youth on a global scale, in a bid to make them more employable in Industrial Revolution 4.0.  

Session: Lamu Branch Volunteers

At the I.O.Me005 Lab, we had a session with members where we explored and discussed real community challenges and proposed innovative ideas to continue improving lives in Lamu. They shared solutions like Elderly Support Systems, Improved Farming Methods, Ambulance Boats, Methadone Treatment Programs, and Desalination Plants for safe and clean water. Others proposed making of fuel from plastic waste, reforesting mangroves to preserve ecosystem, and establishment of policy frameworks to reduce early marriages. Each idea began with a pain point and grew into a solution showing how creativity, invention, and innovation can build a stronger, more sustainable Lamu.

S.T.E.A.M Squad: Create, Build, Explore!

Over 50 bright young minds lit up the I.O.Me001 Social Innovation Hub in Mombasa during an unforgettable STEAM event hosted by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) at I.O.Me001 Social Innovation Hub, Mombasa. The room was crackling with curiosity and creativity as children explored everything from circuit boards to virtual reality, diving headfirst into hands-on activities that challenged their thinking and sparked their imaginations. But this wasn’t just about fun tech experiments — it was about asking big questions, solving real-world problems, and nurturing the innovators of tomorrow. This energy wasn’t just felt in Mombasa. The ripple effects of events like these echo across all I.O.Me254 spaces. As we continue bridging creativity with technology and purpose, it’s clear that when young people are given tools and the space to explore, they don’t just participate – they lead. And that’s exactly the future we’re working to build.

Women Social Entrepreneurship Institute Phase 2 of 2025

The Women Social Entrepreneurship Institute (WSEI) continues to uplift informal entrepreneurs, helping them grow into impactful business leaders. Following a successful pilot in Mombasa, Phase Two of WSEI launched in April 2025 through a partnership between the French Red Cross, Kenya Red Cross Society, and ICC Merchants of Peace Foundation. This six-month phase is supporting 25 early-stage female founders in the green and circular economies across Kenya’s Coastal region. The program includes training in entrepreneurship basics, human- centered design, financial literacy, digital skills, mental health, and more. A key milestone was the Mid-Program Pitch Competition on June 26, 2025, held at the I.O.Me Fablab in Mombasa. Entrepreneurs received valuable feedback from distinguished ecosystem players, including Dr. Tayba Hatimy of Baus Taka, Biabu Shaffie from YEPI, and Vincent Mutisya of Sieg Strategy Group, boosting their confidence and investor readiness.  As the program progresses, the focus will shift to advisory support and real-world business exposure.

Training Session: Ideation, Prototyping, Manufacturing

We had a training session led by one of our lab members, Brayton Anderson, on Ideation, Prototyping, and Manufacturing. We explored how to research effectively, prototype rapidly, and navigate regulatory landscapes (KEBS, patents, and compliance).   Tips include: When in the stage of ideation, you need to do a lot of research, and you need to be intentional about what you are researching on. Additionally, what helps whilst researching is to think through the lens of the end-user instead of the builder When it comes to manufacturing, think of which manufacturers to use at which stages Also think about what the existing regulations are, together with what the regulating bodies are for compliance Then also remember how the regulations and compliance differs with the different country markets (e.g the European market and the American market) Also think about the different forms of testing, especially when it comes to electronics.

FabKids: Climate Conversations

Our 3-Day holiday workshop kicked off with a splash! The young scientists dived into the water cycle; evaporation, condensation, rain and collection through stories, discussions, and fun DIY experiments. The kids discovered how water keeps our world alive and how the Earth itself works as a natural filter, recycling water so its clean and ready for life. What makes this FabKids training different from the last ones is that this one is centred around climate conversations. The theme of this training is: innovating water access for a climate-resilient future. This initiative supports Sustainable Development Goals: 13 (take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts) 14 (conserve and sustainably use the ocean, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development).

3-Day Teachers’ Trainings

It is important to up-skill the youth, however it is also equally important to up-skill the teachers that bring up and influence the younger generations. We started out with showing the teachers what the aims and initiatives of the Kenya Red Cross Society and, by extension, I.O.Me254 are all about. We then went on to cover essential computer skills like operating Microsoft Suite together with learning how to manage files. Towards the end of the training, the teachers had mastered the practical skills necessary to take their use of digital skills to the next level.

Human-Centered Design Training

The I.O.Me005 lab hosted a group of Nature-Based-Solution project stakeholders for a training on Human-Centered Design (HCD). Human-Centered Design, or HCD in short, is a field that focuses on the end-user’s perspective of the problem you are attempting to solve by creating a product.     The class dove deeply into HCD tools, mastering storytelling & journey-mapping, comprehending on empathy with the community on the nature-based challenges. This workshop’s aim was to identify the current challenges related to Nature-Based Solutions, and to facilitate the collaborative development of innovative and sustainable solutions.     The valuable insights and solutions that emerged from that workshop played a crucial role in shaping the project’s strategic direction as well as in determining its potential for future expansion.        

Photography – There is More to A Snap

Photography is about capturing moments, telling stories, and making memories stick. It’s about capturing that feeling, that moment,that motion that would be lost if not caught and savored. In our recent session, we got down to the basics,but with a twist. First, we took a close look at the camera—understanding all the important parts including the lens and the camera body. It’s like getting to know the ins and outs of your new favorite gadget before you start using it. Plus, we made sure everyone felt like a pro by learning how to handle the equipment like it was an extension of themselves. No awkward fumbles here!Let’s face it: every photo is a little piece of art (or at least, it’s trying to be). Whether it’s a portrait that speaks volumes, a landscape that takes your breath away, or a snapshot of life’s little candid moments, each shot has a tale to tell. We also dabbled in the magic of perspective— how shifting your angle or focus can turn a “meh” shot into something you’ll want to frame. Suddenly,everything around you looks like it’s straight out of a photo-shoot, and it’s all about how you see it.The big takeaway? Photography is all about seeing the world with fresh eyes. You don’t need to wait for the perfect moment; sometimes, all it takes is a little creative twist to turn the ordinary into extraordinary. We encouraged everyone to experiment—whether it was with their angle, their focus, or looking for the beauty in the overlooked moments. Once you start seeing through the lens, you’ll never look at the world the same way again. Who knew everyday scenes could become such masterpieces?

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