“EYAF STEM QUIZ CHALLENGE: Our Goal Is to Inspire the Next Generation of Scientists and Innovators” — Dr. Ejike Anekwe

As the Elite Youths of Anam Foundation (EYAF) prepares to host the maiden edition of its STEM Quiz Challenge on July 18, 2026, expectations are high for an initiative designed to promote excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) among secondary school students.

In this interview with Olisemeka Sony Obeche, President of the Elite Youths of Anam Foundation (EYAF), Dr. Christopher Ejike Anekwe, discusses the objectives of the competition, the challenges encountered during planning, milestones already achieved, and the Foundation’s long-term vision for building a sustainable STEM culture across Anam and beyond. Excerpt :

Q: What specific goals has EYAF set for this maiden edition of the STEM Quiz Challenge, both in terms of participation and learning outcomes?

As this is the maiden edition of the EYAF STEM Quiz Challenge, our primary objective is to stimulate greater interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics among secondary school students. We want to bring together schools across our communities and provide students with a platform to demonstrate their academic abilities while strengthening their IT competence and problem-solving skills.

Beyond participation, we expect students to deepen their understanding of STEM concepts, build confidence through academic competition, become familiar with online examinations, and develop a positive attitude toward STEM-related careers. More importantly, we want them to see STEM as a practical tool for solving real-life challenges and contributing meaningfully to society.

Q: How do you envision the impact of this quiz on students, teachers and the broader STEM community?

We believe the impact will be far-reaching. For students, the competition will encourage academic excellence, expose them to computer-based testing, and promote healthy intellectual engagement.

For teachers, it serves as motivation to continue nurturing young talents while embracing innovative approaches to STEM education and student assessment.

At the community level, we hope the initiative will strengthen awareness of the importance of STEM education and foster stronger collaboration among schools, educators, parents and development partners. Ultimately, we want to build a culture where excellence in STEM is celebrated and sustained.

Q: Beyond producing winners, what would make this event a success?

Success goes well beyond awarding trophies. We will consider the event successful if students leave inspired, schools become more committed to STEM education and online academic activities, teachers and parents appreciate the value of academic competitions, and new partnerships emerge for future editions.

If we succeed in igniting curiosity and motivating young people to pursue careers as scientists, engineers, innovators and problem-solvers, then we would have achieved our mission.

Q: Is this intended to become a long-term programme?

Absolutely. The July 2026 edition is designed as the foundation of a long-term initiative. Our vision is to institutionalise the EYAF STEM Quiz Challenge as an annual programme.

In the coming years, we plan to expand participation to more schools, introduce additional STEM competitions and innovation contests, establish strategic partnerships with educational institutions and corporate organisations, and develop mentorship opportunities for outstanding participants. Sustainability and continuous growth remain our guiding principles.

Q: What have been the biggest challenges in planning this inaugural edition?

Three major challenges stand out. The first has been creating awareness among schools and students. Since this is the inaugural edition, considerable effort has gone into sensitising schools about the competition and registration process. Our team has intensified school visits, digital campaigns and direct engagement with school administrators.

Secondly, sustaining volunteer commitment has required careful coordination. As a youth-driven initiative, our volunteers also have personal and professional responsibilities. We have addressed this by assigning clear responsibilities and maintaining regular communication to keep everyone motivated.

The third challenge has been reaching eligible students outside Anam due to limited publicity resources and varying levels of media access. To overcome this, our publicity team is maximising every available media platform while strengthening collaboration with educators and school administrators.

Q: How are you ensuring equal opportunities for schools with limited STEM resources?

Inclusivity is one of our core values. To ensure fairness, all questions are based on the approved secondary school curriculum rather than specialised laboratory exposure. Registration requirements have been kept simple and open to all eligible students, while the competition format has been designed to minimise dependence on sophisticated technology. Our goal is to provide every participating school with an equal opportunity to compete.

Q: Have sponsorship, question standardisation or recruitment of judges presented any difficulties?

Like many new initiatives, sponsorship has been challenging. However, we remain optimistic and have engaged an individual who shares our passion for educational development and has committed to sponsoring the competition.

Question development is being handled by experienced STEM educators who are carefully reviewing every item to ensure curriculum relevance, fairness and balanced difficulty levels.

For adjudication, particularly during the final physical stage of the competition, we will engage competent professionals and educators whose integrity and expertise will guarantee transparency and credibility.

Q: What contingency plans have you put in place for low registration or technical challenges?

We have developed several contingency measures. Our publicity campaign remains active through school visits, phone calls and continuous engagement with schools to boost participation.

Operationally, we have prepared backup question materials, engaged experienced technical personnel to develop and support the CBT platform, and made provision for flexible scheduling should unforeseen technical issues arise.

“Our objective is to ensure a smooth and successful competition regardless of unexpected challenges.”

Q: What major milestones have been achieved so far?

We are encouraged by the progress made so far. We have successfully established our planning committees, developed the competition framework and operational guidelines, received positive responses from school managements, advanced question preparation and moderation, and initiated discussions with prospective supporters.

As of the time of this interview, we have recorded 130 registered candidates, and we remain optimistic that participation will continue to grow.

Q: How far has question development progressed?

Question development is at an advanced stage. The questions have been completed and are awaiting integration into the online CBT platform. Throughout the review process, we have focused on curriculum alignment, age appropriateness, clarity, accuracy, balanced STEM coverage and an equitable distribution of difficulty levels. Multiple rounds of moderation are helping us maintain high standards and eliminate bias.

Q: Have you conducted any pilot tests or mock rounds?

Not yet. However, preliminary reviews and trial sessions will be conducted before the competition. These exercises will help us evaluate timing, question pacing, clarity of instructions, difficulty levels and any areas requiring refinement. The feedback will be valuable in strengthening the overall competition.

Q: On a scale of one to ten, how ready is EYAF for July 18?

At this point, I would rate our preparedness at 8 out of 10. We have laid a solid foundation, but we still need to finalise operational logistics, complete question moderation and validation, increase school participation, and conduct our final rehearsals and coordination meetings.

I am confident that, with the dedication of our team and the support of participating schools, EYAF will successfully deliver a memorable and impactful maiden edition of the STEM Quiz Challenge on July 18, 2026.