Leveraging STEM Education Using Multi-Functional-Mobile-Laboratory Intervention in the Midst of Banditry Activities: Implications for Skills Acquisition in Zamfara State, Nigeria

The inadequate supply of educational teaching aids and truly functional laboratories to aid teaching and learning of sciences across Nigeria, particularly Zamfara State, due to high cost incurred in acquiring them has necessitated the invention of a multifunctional mobile teaching aid and intervention laboratory for schools. The invention is a home-grown, purpose-built game changer to positively leverage the educational sector to enhance quality and effective Science, Technology. Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Nigeria. Thus, the article x-rays banditry activities in Zamfara State and feasibility of integrating mobile-laboratory-intervention for skills acquisition in Zamfara State. The study adopted a mixed method research design using both qualitative and quantitative data. Four research questions and hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The population consisted of 280 principals selected from three educational zones in Zamfara State using multi-stage sampling technique. A self-designed instrument was used for data collection. The questionnaire was subjected to face-and content validity by experts in education and gave a reliability coefficient of 0.85 using Cronbach Alpha reliability test. Mean and standard deviation were used for answering the research questions while t-test analysis was used in testing the hypotheses for the study at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed no significant difference in the opinion of the respondents on the impact of banditry activities on STEM education for skills acquisition in Zamfara State. The study recommended among others that the provision of multifunctional mobile laboratory intervention, organization of workshops and conferences on the significance of STEM education should be encouraged at all levels.