In rural Nigeria, many schools face a stark reality: no science labs, few resources, and limited access to trained STEM teachers. By the time students encounter hands-on learning, many have already chosen different paths.
Dr. Oluwakemi Olurinola, an educational technologist and STEM advocate, is determined to change that. Her solution? The STEM Safari Express, a mobile modular STEM lab designed to deliver hands-on, community-based science learning directly to the students who need it most.
“Safari means exploration, adventure,” she explains. “Express means speed and accessibility. The goal is to bring STEM adventures quickly and accessibly to underserved communities”.
Sparking Fires of Curiosity
For Dr. Olurinola, the vision isn’t just about labs and equipment. It’s about igniting something within each child.
“If I’m able to spark a fire, I don’t know where it will get fanned, but at least there’s something burning within those kids,” she says. “This is something I can do. This is something I can be”.
That mindset has guided her for years. From running summer STEM camps to organizing monthly outreach programs, she has seen how even brief moments of exposure can reshape a child’s sense of what’s possible.
STEM as Life Skills
While many view STEM as a set of academic subjects—physics, chemistry, math—Dr. Olurinola sees it differently.
“STEM is beyond a subject,” she explains. “It’s a way of thinking, a way of processing, a way of approaching problems. These are transferable life skills”.
From computational thinking to problem decomposition, she believes that even if students never pursue STEM careers, these skills will serve them in whatever path they choose.
Education That Moves
Most students are expected to come to school to learn. The STEM Safari Express flips that equation.
“Education that moves means taking learning to them where they are,” Dr. Olurinola says. “We disabuse the mindset that learning only occurs within the classroom. We can learn even under a tree”.
The mobile lab isn’t just about science experiments. It’s about contextualizing learning—connecting lessons to community challenges, making STEM feel relevant, local, and alive.
The Moment of Realization
The idea for the STEM Safari Express has been in Dr. Olurinola’s heart for years. The turning point came when she attended two international conferences back-to-back.
She watched 10- to 13-year-olds confidently present their STEM projects to global audiences. “The kids in my community are equally as intelligent,” she thought. “The difference is exposure”.
That realization fueled her determination to create opportunities for Nigerian children to see themselves as innovators, builders, and problem-solvers.
Building Support and Scaling Impact
The project is already attracting support. UK-based organizations have donated resources. Nigerian colleagues have shared expertise. Local educators and NGOs are expressing interest in partnering.
What’s next? Equipping the mobile lab, securing sustained funding, and scaling the model so it can serve more schools and communities year-round.
But at the core, Dr. Olurinola’s dream is simple: every child deserves the chance to learn by doing.
A Lesson for Us All
Asked what she’s learned about herself as an educator, she says:
“I’ve learned to take students to the window and ask, ‘What do you see?’ Because they may see things I never noticed. Their insight enriches the learning”.
And her advice to other educators with a “quiet dream”? “Start small. Break it into parts. Don’t wait until you have it all figured out. Attend to your dream, no matter how small”.
Join the Movement
Dr. Oluwakemi Olurinola’s STEM Safari Express reminds us that innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about people, access, and the spark of curiosity that changes everything.
This is what Thinkering is all about—real people, bold projects, human stories.
If you’re ready to bring your own dream project to life, join the Thinkering Fellowship today and be empowered to build what matters.
