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2024 JETS Conept Final15012024 (1) - 1
2024 JETS Conept Final15012024 (1) - 1
Ministry of Education
Directorate of National Science Centre
STEM for
Sustainable
Growth and
Development
2024 JETS Concep
Theme:
“Promoting Innovation, Engineering and
Entrepreneurship: Accelerating STEM Growth and
Development”
1
1. Overview
Junior Engineers Technicians and Scientists (JETS), is an initiative of the Ministry of Education
that offers a dynamic platform for students, teachers, and young people to come up with
innovative, human-centered solutions to the challenges facing their communities. The program
operates under the guiding principle of "Think Big Be Innovative," and its participants are
encouraged to address a range of pressing issues, including climate change, medical and
healthcare, renewable energy, water scarcity, and environmental pollution. Solving many of
Zambia's major problems will require long-term, sustained efforts, particularly in the realm of
science. As such, JETS empowers learners, youth, and teachers to develop innovative solutions
that can be refined and showcased at JETS Fair activities held at various levels. These fairs
provide a forum for young scientists to share ideas, identify best practices related to STEM, and
learn from each other's experiences. Moreover, stakeholders with a strong interest in scientific
research can choose to mentor, develop, and commercialize promising innovations, thereby
promoting sustainable development.
2. Overall Theme
The theme for the 2024 JETS fairs has been carefully selected to align with the nation's
development goals, as outlined in the Eighth National Development Plan and other
developmental agendas. The theme, "Promoting Innovation, Engineering and Entrepreneurship:
Accelerating STEM Growth and Development," reflects a broad range of initiatives aimed at
encouraging continuous progress in creativity, resourcefulness, and problem-solving abilities
among the upcoming generation of innovators, engineers, and entrepreneurs. The objective is to
accelerate STEM growth and development across all sectors and promote sustainable
development.
The 2024 JETS Fair is set to introduce few more categories and a thematic approach will still be
enforced. A specific theme will be selected for all participants within a given category to
compete in. The tasks will be designed to encourage participants to develop an innovation that
contributes to solving a practical problem or challenge at the community, regional, national, or
global levels. More information on the proposed themes for each category is provided in Section
10.
The National JETS Fair will be preceded by the School, District, and Regional Fairs. Capacity
building programs will be held in the Regions and Districts for the Regional and District
Organizing Committees. The training will cover coordination, implementation, and the
importance of quality assurance in JETS activities. Topics to be covered in the trainings include
(a) innovation development criteria, (b) report writing, poster presentation on display boards, (c)
adjudication process, and (d) categories description and characteristics. The Regional Fairs are
scheduled to take place in the Month of April, 2024 during the school holidays. The NSC and
other stakeholders will oversee the regional JETS fairs to ensure the innovations quality
assurance. The National JETS Fair will take place from Sunday August 11th (Arrival) to Saturday
August 17th (Departure), 2024, at the National Science Centre in Lusaka.
6. Expected Outputs
It is expected that the National JETS Fair will produce the following outputs:
a) A platform for learners and youths, innovators and entrepreneurs to showcase, use their
scientific knowledge and bring out the best inventions or innovations provided.
b) A more positive scientific attitude towards problems and challenges that learners and
youths, innovators and entrepreneurs face in life developed.
c) Synergies amongst learners and the youths, the communities and industries in new
inventions and innovations created.
7. Tabulated Categories
The table shows the JETS categories for 2024 with specified targets, number of participants and
sub-themes.
Table1: JETS categories
JETS Categories 2024
The 2024 JETS Fairs will bring on board learners from ECE and Primary Schools, Secondary
Schools, Colleges of Education, Universities and Out-of-School Youths as well as Teachers of
STEM to showcase their inventions and innovations, and compete for awards and honours. The
community, industries as well as line ministries will be invited to exhibit and showcase their
works at the Fair and also to identify and select promising innovative projects for possible
adoption, support and mentoring.
A total of 704 participants from across the country are earmarked to participate and present at the
National JETS Fair from the categories listed below.
The “Chemistry for Sustainable Solutions” sub-theme invites participants from different
educational levels. This sub-theme encourages individuals to harness the power of chemistry to
develop innovative, human-centered solutions addressing the pressing challenges faced by their
communities.
The participants will be invited to develop projects that showcase the application of chemistry in
creating sustainable solutions. Projects can range from environmentally friendly chemical
processes to novel materials with positive societal impacts.
10.3. Physics and Renewable Energy Innovations - (ECE & Primary, Junior and Senior
Secondary and Out-of-school Youth/students and Teachers)
Physics is the science of matter and energy as well as the interactions between the two; theories,
principles and laws governing energy and the effect of energy on matter. Renewable energy
provides reliable power supplies and fuel diversification, which enhance energy security and
lower risk, such as that of fuel spills, while reducing the need for imported fuels. Renewable
energy also helps conserve the nation's natural resources. It is collected from renewable
resources, which are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, rain,
tides, waves, and geothermal heat. The sub-theme for Physics & Renewable Energy category is
"Solar Energy Innovative Solutions". This theme will focus on encouraging participants to
develop innovative solutions for utilizing the abundant energy in Zambia to address the country's
energy needs and promote sustainable development. Some potential areas of focus for the
competition will include among others:
a) Developing new technologies for solar power generation, such as concentrating solar power
systems, floating solar arrays, or solar-powered desalination plants,
b) Creating innovative solutions for energy storage, such as battery technologies, flywheels, or
thermal energy storage systems that can help ensure reliable power supply even when the sun
is not shining.
10.4. Computer Sciences and Software Development Innovations - (ECE & Primary, Junior
and Senior Secondary and Out-of-school Youth/students and Teachers)
Computer Science is the study of computational systems and information technology,
specifically the theory, design, development, and application of these systems. This includes
artificial intelligence, computer systems and networks, security, database systems, human-
computer interaction, vision and graphics, numerical analysis, software systems and languages,
bioinformatics and the theory of computing. The sub-theme for Computer Science and Software
Development Category is "Innovative Solutions for Digital Transformation". This theme will
focus on encouraging participants to develop innovative solutions that leverage computer science
to help drive digital transformation and promote economic development in Zambia. Possible
areas of emphasis for the competition will include:
a) Developing new software applications that can help address key challenges facing Zambia,
such as improving access to healthcare, education, or financial services.
b) Creating innovative solutions for data analytics and visualization, such as machine learning
algorithms, data mining techniques, or interactive dashboards that can help decision-makers
better understand complex data sets.
c) Designing and implementing secure and resilient information systems, such as block chain-
based solutions, that can help protect sensitive information and improve cybersecurity.
d) Developing new approaches for promoting digital literacy and technology skills
development, such as online learning platforms or coding boot camps, that can help build a
more skilled and diverse workforce in Zambia.
10.5. Mathematics Innovations - (ECE & Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary and Out-of-
school Youth/students and Teachers)
The study of Mathematics teaches how to use abstract language, work with algorithms, self-
analyse computational thinking, and accurately model real-world solutions. Development of
formal logical systems or various numerical and algebraic computations, and the application of
these principles. This category will help participants focus on the use of mathematical principles
and concepts to model real-world solutions. The sub-theme for Mathematics Category is
"Innovative Solutions through Mathematical Modelling". This theme could focus on
encouraging participants to develop innovative solutions that leverage mathematics to help drive
the architectural space for economic development in Zambia. Focus may be on:
a) Developing new insights in finding solutions to mathematical process using software
applications that can help address key challenges facing Zambia, such as improving access to
healthcare, education, or financial services,
b) Designing resilient models that are time and space-sensitive to balance aesthetics and
functionality with sustainability, artistic work to address local needs and challenges,
c) Developing new approaches or devices for predicting future phenomena based on time and
space that could help maximize benefits from opportunities in Zambia.
10.6. Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Innovations - (Junior and Senior Secondary, Out-of-
school Youth/students and Teachers)
10.7. Medicine and Health Innovations - (ECE & Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary and
Out-of-school Youth/students and Teachers)
This category focuses on studies specifically designed to address issues of human health and
disease. It includes studies on the diagnosis, treatment, repair, maintenance and epidemiology of
disease and other damage to the human body or mental systems. Includes studies of normal
functioning and may investigate internal as well as external factors such as feedback
mechanisms, stress or environmental impact on human health and disease (physiology and
anatomy). The sub-theme for this category is "Integrating Indigenous Medicines for Improved
Healthcare in Zambia". In this category, the competition will challenge participants to develop
non-conventional innovative solutions to address healthcare challenges in Zambia. Indigenous
medicine has been used for centuries in Zambia and is often the primary form of healthcare for
many people, particularly in rural areas. The focus will be on a range of healthcare issues in
Zambia, such as infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and non-communicable diseases.
Participants could be tasked with developing new diagnostic tools, treatment protocols, or
preventive interventions that use indigenous medicine. Furthermore, the competition will
encourage the use of modern technologies, such as mobile health (mHealth) and telemedicine, to
support indigenous medicine. For example, participants could develop mHealth apps that provide
information about indigenous medicines and their uses, or telemedicine platforms that enable
indigenous healers to work collaboratively.
10.8. Food Science, Technology and Hospitality Innovations - (ECE & Primary, Junior and
Senior Secondary)
Food technology involves the application of food science to the selection, preservation,
processing, packaging, and distribution, use of safe food and research and development of the
food products. Food innovations will involve the use of technology to improve food production
processes. New technologies in various food industries improve and enhance customer
experience. The sub-theme for the category is “Innovative Solutions for Value Addition”.
Participants will be judged on their use of local ingredients, sustainability practices, and
creativity in developing new and exciting dishes. Participants will also be challenged to develop
new and innovative food products and processes that are unique to Zambia's culinary traditions
and resources. Participants will also be judged on the feasibility and scalability of their
innovations, as well as their potential to enhance the country's food industry and contribute to
economic growth.
10.9. Environmental Sustainable Development Innovations - (ECE & Primary, Junior and
Senior Secondary)
This category involves innovations that include controlling human impact on and interaction
with the environment in order to preserve natural resources and address the environmental
challenges with innovative effective solutions. Participants are encouraged to use technology
constructively to research environmental issues at depth and to use their acquired knowledge on
the subject to come up with innovative technologies to protect the environment. The sub-theme
is "Green Innovations for a Sustainable Future”. The competition will invite participants to
submit innovative, practical, and scalable solutions to environmental challenges in Zambia, with
a particular focus on managing waste, conserving natural resources, and promoting sustainable
lifestyles. The innovations will be judged on a range of criteria, including their potential impact
on the environment, their feasibility and cost-effectiveness, their potential for replication and
scalability, and their creativity and originality.
10.10. Academics - Quizzes and Olympiads (Primary, Junior Secondary and Senior Secondary)
The sub-theme is "Exploring the Future of Zambia through Sustainable Solutions: Challenges
and Opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)".
The participants for the quiz will be required to write Olympiad tasks. Biology and Chemistry
shall be written by one (1) participant, Physics and Mathematics one (1) participant, making two
(2) participants for Junior and Senior Quiz and Olympiads category.
For Primary Quiz and Olympiads, there shall be three (3) participants, and each will write one of
the three Olympiads in Mathematics, Science and Creative and Technology Studies.
Skills create opportunities and connect societies. They are the foundation of economic progress.
A skill is the learned ability to act with determined results with good execution often within a
given amount of time, energy, or both. The sub-theme under the skills categories is "Skills for
Sustainable Development". This competition will enable participants to design and construct
sustainable civil, mechanical, electrical and electronics services, and artfacts that incorporate
environmentally friendly materials and energy-efficient technologies. Participants will be judged
on their ability to balance aesthetics and functionality with sustainability, as well as their
understanding of local building codes, artistic work and regulations as well as their creativity,
functionality, and ability to address local needs and challenges.
10.11.1. Civil Engineering (Wall & Floor Tiling, Landscape & Gardening, Bricklaying and
plastering)
In Zambia, where practical applications by citizens often fall short of expectations, participants
in Civil Engineering competitions are strongly encouraged to delve into the technical intricacies
of Wall & Floor Tiling, Landscape & Gardening, Bricklaying, and Plastering. These specific
categories provide a platform for individuals to showcase their skills in real-world applications,
reflecting the demands of actual projects such as road construction, drainage design, and the
construction of high-rise structures. Participants are challenged to demonstrate not only creativity
but also technical proficiency in tasks requiring precise tiling techniques, innovative landscaping
designs, meticulous bricklaying methods, and careful plastering applications. The ultimate goal
is to inspire participants to contribute significantly to the improvement and advancement of
practical Civil Engineering practices in Zambia, addressing the specific challenges faced in
projects involving road construction, drainage systems, and high-rise structures. Benefits arising
from this category include but not limited to the following:
a) Skilled Workforce Development
Participants developing expertise in various civil engineering aspects contribute to the creation of
a skilled workforce in Zambia.
b) Infrastructure Enhancement
Application of skills in community road construction, drainage design, and high-rise structure
building leads to improved infrastructure, fostering economic development.
c) Increased Employment Opportunities
Advancements in practical Civil Engineering practices create a higher demand for skilled labour
and entrepreneurship offering increased entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for
citizens.
d) Innovation and Economic Growth
Emphasis on creativity and technical proficiency fosters innovation, encouraging modern
engineering solutions and contributing to overall economic growth.
e) Community Development and Sustainability
Enhanced civil engineering practices benefit local communities, improve quality of life, and
promote sustainable development aligned with global environmental standards.
10.11.2. Mechanical Engineering (Design & Construction of Auto machines: Welding,
Carpentry & Joinery, Electrical installations, panel beating and stray painting)
Establishing guidelines and criteria that accentuate authentic innovativeness aims to motivate
participants in the Junior Engineers, Technicians & Scientists (JETS) competitions, with a
specific focus on Mechanical Engineering. The designated areas of emphasis include the Design
and construction of Auto machines, Welding, Carpentry and joinery, Electrical Installations,
Panel Beating, and Spray Painting. The provided suggestions are presented to foster creativity
and excellence within the category.
a) Originality and Creativity
Encourage participants to think without a box and come up with original ideas for their projects.
Highlight the importance of incorporating creative solutions that set their projects apart from
conventional designs.
b) Problem-Solving Approach
Evaluate how well participants address real-life challenges in their projects. Accentuate the need
for innovative solutions to common problems encountered in mechanical engineering and
automotive design.
c) Integration of Multiple Disciplines
Encourage projects that seamlessly integrate various disciplines such as welding, carpentry,
electrical installations, panel beating, and spray painting. Stress the importance of a holistic
approach that demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the entire design and construction
process.
d) Efficiency and Sustainability
Consider projects that demonstrate a focus on energy efficiency, resource optimization, and
sustainability. Inspire the use of eco-friendly materials and technologies that contribute to a
greener and more sustainable future.
e) User-Friendly Design
Evaluate the user-friendliness of the auto machines designed by participants. Underline the
importance of creating machines that are not only innovative but also practical and easy to
operate.
f) Technological Integration
Recognize projects that incorporate the latest technologies, such as IoT (Internet of Things),
sensors, or automation, to enhance the functionality and performance of the auto machines.
g) Safety Measures
Highlight the importance of safety in design and construction. Press upon participants to
incorporate innovative safety features and measures in their projects, ensuring the well-being of
users and those around the machines.
By focusing on these criteria participants would be encouraged to showcase innovativeness in
their projects, fostering a spirit of creativity, problem-solving, and forward-thinking within the
Mechanical Engineering category of the JETS competitions.
10.11.5. Cosmetology
After the National JETS Fair, the top three winners in all the categories will remain for the
‘STEM BOOT’ Camp for two weeks to be held from Saturday 17th August – Saturday 31th
August, 2024 to:
a) Capacity-build innovators to fortify their skill sets, encompassing technical proficiency and
innovative ideation,
b) Strengthen collaboration capabilities, fostering an environment conducive to interdisciplinary
cooperation and collective problem-solving and
c) Elevate the quality of showcased innovation novel prototypes at the 2024 National JETS Fair,
emphasizing their practical applicability and market readiness.