The idea of the Science Set started with Michael Asante Afrifa, Charles’s roommate in their room at the university. They thought it will be an opportunity to come up with something that could be of benefit to the larger human society. Using his knowledge and skills, Charles led the designing of the Science Set, which has facilitated STEM education in Africa and across the world.

Perhaps Charles’s love for science was hereditary. His father was a science teacher in a local school. According to Charles, his father was a great source of empowerment in his career in STEM. As a teacher, he made sure to teach Charles every new information he found.

Charles recalls his basic school days when he loved to read more and explore the science world. However, he was limited in his efforts as he had no access to the internet or even basic science and technology tools. To change the story for today's school children, he decided to develop the Science Set and make it affordable for all.

"I feel like my job should be to do as much as I can to empower the next generation even more than I was empowered by my dad, so that they can take on the big challenges that are going to come", he noted.

The Science Set is one of his most celebrated works. It is a mini science laboratory with about 47 individual tools. The Science Set can be used to perform a wide range of experiments- from switch circuits to mini robots.

Charles worked on several innovative projects apart from the Science Set. He created a smoke detector that used low-power laser mesh to detect smoke.

He created a non-electric air conditioner that was used in the first car to be fully assembled at the Suame magazine in Kumasi. He also pioneered the physics of “fufu” movement that is used in most fufu-making devices in Ghana.

Before completing high school, Charles built an electric rocket using electromagnetic pulse propulsion. He also developed a system that used light to manipulate plant chemicals to affect their direction of growth.

Earlier in 2012, Charles created the world’s first ‘playbrary’. The playbrary is a combination of a library and a playground. The playbrary creates a space for learning that children love to go to, hence promoting a learning habit among children.

Charles Ofori Antipem is recognized globally for his innovations. He was pronounced the ultimate winner of MTN Heroes of Change, season five. The Science Set has won a lot of international awards including the Most Innovative Education Solution in Africa, 2018, and the Africa Engineering Innovation Prize, 2018 among others.

REFERENCE

Information from https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44846317, https://www.kumatoo.com/charles-ofori-antipem-.php#.YtZsgXbMLIU, https://www.globalpartnership.org/fr/user/15942, and www.ameyawdebrah.com was used in this story.