In collaboration with the Luddy School of Informatics under Indiana University, the Young at Heart Ghana Team embarked on an exchange fellowship programme, the second since last year. The exchange fellowship took place from May 26 to May 30 this year. It was both an Ed-tech-centred trip and a cultural experience for all fellows. KOVOC School complex in Koforidua in the Eastern Region of Ghana hosted the fellows from May 27 to May 2024. The class targets for the programme were class four (4), class five (5), class six (6), JHS One (1) and Two (2). Students were trained in Scratch Programming and Arduino Programming, the modules linked to stories from the Ananse Teacher App. The Exchange Fellowship Programme helped imbibe and equip students with Scratch and Arduino Programming knowledge. The objectives of the outreach were to;

Prior to the start of the outreach, an info pack document was shared with the volunteers to familiarise them with the modules. A Zoom meeting was held to give volunteers a fair idea of the activity and assist them with what they needed to do in the classrooms and with the students. Volunteers who participated were purposely grouped into a four-member group to lead a class based on their capabilities and expertise in Scratch and Arduino Programming. Volunteers were expected to teach the students the basics of scratch and Arduino Programming, and the two modules were linked to stories from the Anase the Teacher App. Nevertheless, various fun activities were led by volunteers to create a friendly ambience for students to feel comfortable and also participate actively in the subsequent activities.

On the first day, the volunteers conducted a base test to assess the student’s knowledge of Scratch and Arduino programming before introducing the concept. The second day was enthusiastic as students got along with volunteers, the modules, and vice versa. The volunteers had a recap of the story and began the lessons for the scratch and Arduino programming; however, it was initially a bit daunting, but the students gradually grasped the content and concept. The lesson continued on the third day, and some students progressed. The post-test was done to assess what students had learned. The students were grouped and tasked to be creative and develop something based on what they were taught. The last day was set aside for presentation. The students in the various classrooms were allowed to demonstrate what they had created using Scratch and Arduino programming in the respective classrooms.

Fellows debriefed each day to evaluate how the day went, how the students coped, the challenges and achievements made, and the challenges were appropriately addressed. Fun activities were held in the evening to strengthen the bond between fellows from Ghana and the United States of America. The exchange fellowship was a success, and we look forward to organising the third outreach next year.