Qubix Robotics

Qubix Robotics is a digital manufacturing startup in Malawi, we are manufacturing Educational Radio Kits and other educational materials from municipal plastic waste using additive manufacturing (3D Printing), industrial robotics and CNC technologies to promote environmental awareness and sustainability among primary and secondary school students in Malawi at same time ensuring that waste collectors are valued and have decent work environment.

Qubix Robotics initiated the “3D Print your plastic waste” project  to provide innovative and sustainable educational tools for Malawian children. With the core objectives of Bridging the STEM education gap, promote environmental responsibility, and ignite the passion of students in science subjects. This program helps improving students grades in science subjects and advance in STEM career paths.

We serve primary school students (ages 5-12) in Malawi because this age group is crucial for igniting a passion for learning and shaping future generations. Our approach tackles two critical challenges they face: limited access to STEM education and plastic waste pollution.

Our Mission.

Qubix Robotics empowers young minds in Malawi by providing innovative learning & teaching educational tools created from recycled materials & e- waste. We strive to bridge the gap in STEM education while promoting environmental responsibility and a circular economy.

Vision:

We envision a future where Malawian children have equal access to quality STEAM education, fostering a generation of creative problem-solvers who are passionate about sustainability and technological advancement.

Core Values:

• Education Equity: We believe all children deserve access to engaging and effective STEAM education.
• Environmental Responsibility: We are committed to minimizing waste and promoting sustainable practices.
• Innovation: We embrace creativity and explore new ways to utilize technology for positive change.
• Community Collaboration: We value partnerships with educational institutions, NGOs, and local communities to achieve our goals.
• Empowerment: We believe in empowering young minds to become confident learners and future leaders.

Chisomo Thezhi Kanthema, Co-founder and COO of Qubix Robotics, serves as the Team Lead, playing a vital role in the execution of the organization's STEM Education Program and ensuring its success. As the primary point of contact, Chisomo oversees program development, implementation, and evaluation, while also liaising with external partners, stakeholders, and funders. Chisomo provides strategic direction, fosters collaboration, and cultivates a culture of innovation within the organization. Chisomo supports team members' professional growth and development,

Through his strategic direction, unwavering dedication, and commitment to collaboration, Chisomo ensures Qubix Robotics remains at the forefront of STEM education innovation in Malawi, creating a lasting impact on learners and communities.

Qubix Robotics recognizes the value of the LEAP Project and is committed to its success. This project will be led by Chisomo Thezhi Kanthema, the Team Lead for our LEAP Project. With a keen eye for strategic direction and a wealth of experience in project management spanning over nine years, Chisomo will spearheads our efforts to ensure the LEAP Project remains a focal point of our organizational agenda. Supported by a team of dedicated 4 professionals, each possessing unique skills and insights, Chisomo orchestrates the coordination and execution of our objectives, all while balancing the demands of other vital initiatives within our organization.

Here is the additional team profiles that will be dedicated to LEAP project to ensure its success.

Fati Kanthema: Electronics Enginner. won 2 Malawi Innovators design Competition with prototype of ECG (2017)& CNC (2020). Fati trains youths in electronics and microcontroller programming and how to develop sustainable community solutions using science and Technology. she built plastic extruders and 3D printers using locally available materials.

Theo Chabwera: responsible for developing and implementing a marketing and communication strategy for the project. she will be responsible for raising awareness about the project and promoting the Education Radio Kits to public schools, educational institutions, and potential partners and funders. Sonia Kachale: Business development professional, helps Tech Makers and Developers to explore innovative design thinking tools, creating solutions for enhanced climate action and business growth and development, from ideation to commercialization

Florence Gulule: she responsible for monitoring and evaluating the impact of the Education Radio Kits on STEAM education and sustainability awareness in public schools. She will also be responsible for ensuring that the project is sustainable in the long term and that the supply chain of plastic waste is reliable.

Aime Francis: CAD expert extensive knowledge and experience in Computer Aided Designing, Manufacturing of end User products and Computer programming

3D Printing Plastic waste into FM-Radio Education kits as tools for teaching and learning to improve STEM education in Malawi

In Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural Malawi, children who are in Primary school, encounters significant barriers to quality STEM education. Limited access to teaching and learning resources and educational tools distracts their learning experiences, this affects their academic grades and their career in STEM in future. Over 90% of primary schools in Malawi don’t have access to internet and computers, and almost all primary schools don’t offer hands on STEM education. Students learn about resistors, transistors and all the electronic circuits without physical interaction with these components.

Additionally, gender disparities further marginalize girls' participation in STEM subjects. To address these challenges, our “3D Print Your Plastic waste” program harnesses waste plastic and electronic materials to provide hands-on STEM training using locally sourced materials, fostering a love for learning and improving academic performance among young learners. By targeting the critical age range of 2-12, our innovative approach aims to enhance learning outcomes and empower children with the skills needed for success in a rapidly evolving world.

Our educational program, offers a unique hands-on approach to STEM education that combines environmental sustainability with technology. The program utilizes waste plastic and electronic waste to create FM radio kits, and virtual lab for electronic experiments. which provide a practical application of STEM concepts such as circuit design, soldering, assembly and 3D Printing. The project is designed to be delivered through workshops and training sessions for students in public schools, we have integrated it with the Ministry of Education's Milab platform for virtual training through Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovations.

 At its core, the program harnesses locally fabricated machinery such as 3D printers, plastic extruders, and sheet presses, emphasizing resourcefulness and innovation. Partnering with the Kachere Women and Mudi River Project, integral waste collectors, we ensure they have proper working tools and personal protective equipment (PPE), we provide fair payment through digital transactions and offer training in value addition, including shredding, cleaning, and sorting.

The program's uniqueness lies in its focus on sustainability, creativity, and innovation. By repurposing waste materials, students are introduced to the concept of environmental conservation while developing skills in STEM fields. Additionally, the project's focus on FM radio technology provides a practical application of theoretical concepts, helping to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application which has been missing in Malawi's Education curriculum.

with partnership with Mudi River project and Kachere women, who are our primary waste collectors, We collect discarded plastic and electronics (e-waste) that would otherwise clog landfills.  Using 3D printing, we transform this waste plastics into casings of FM Radio Kits and using E-waste to build PCB for these kits. Our program bridges the gap between theory and real-world application, a common issue in Malawian education. 

Through our program, we hope to inspire a new generation of environmentally-conscious innovators who can create solutions for the challenges facing our communities. We believe that by fostering an interest in STEM education, while also promoting sustainability and creativity, we can create a positive change in the lives of students and the broader community.

Qubix Robotics has conducted foundational research and formative research to help demonstrate the effectiveness of our STEM Education Program., we are committed to building a strong evidence base for our program's effectiveness. Here's an overview of our research efforts so far, categorized by research methods:

Foundational Research:

• Literature Review: We conducted a comprehensive literature review on the following topics:
  • The effectiveness of hands-on, project-based learning approaches in STEM education (National Research Council, 2012; Krajcik et al., 2008).
  • The positive impact of female role models on girls' interest in pursuing STEM careers (Else-Quest et al., 2013).
  • The integration of environmental education with STEM learning to foster environmental awareness and sustainability practices (Hungerford & Volk, 1990).

These studies provided a strong theoretical foundation for our program design, highlighting the potential benefits of our approach in addressing the identified challenges.

Formative Research:

• Pilot Program: We implemented a pilot program at 6 Primary Schools with MSII SGD Initiative to test the feasibility and refine our program delivery.
  • Pre-program surveys assessed students' baseline knowledge of STEM concepts and attitudes towards science and technology.
  • We observed student engagement and participation throughout the program, collecting feedback from teachers and mentors through interviews.
  • Post-program surveys measured changes in student knowledge and attitudes.

We observed increased student engagement and positive feedback from teachers and mentors. The pre/post survey data showed promising trends towards improved knowledge retention.

Based on the learnings from the pilot program, we are now ready to move towards summative research to definitively demonstrate the impact of our program:

• Randomized Control Trial (RCT): We are seeking partnerships with Mzuzu University research department to design and implement a rigorous RCT. This would involve randomly assigning schools to a program group receiving the Qubix Robotics intervention and a control group continuing with the standard curriculum.
  • We would collect pre- and post-program data on student knowledge, skills, attitudes towards STEM and environmental awareness, and waste management practices in both groups.
  • A statistically significant difference between the program and control groups would provide strong evidence of our program's causal impact.

Qubix Robotics is a positive step towards establishing a strong evidence base. We are committed to continuous program improvement and believe a well-designed RCT will provide the necessary data to demonstrate the effectiveness of our program in empowering Malawian students through engaging STEM education and promoting environmental responsibility.

The data collected from our research and studies has provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of our STEM Education Program and has informed our work moving forward in several key ways.

Firstly, our formative research, including usability studies and feasibility studies, revealed important feedback from students and educators regarding the design and implementation of our program components. For instance, through user interviews and feedback sessions, we learned that students found being involved in design and soldering electronics are more engaging and accessible than others. This feedback has guided us in refining our curriculum to ensure that it is both effective and enjoyable for students.

our pre-post research has shown promising results in terms of changes in student knowledge, attitudes, and skills following participation in our program. While this data does not establish causality, it suggests that our program may have a positive impact on student learning outcomes in STEM subjects. For example, we observed increases in students' understanding of basic STEM concepts, as well as improvements in their problem-solving abilities and confidence in applying STEM principles.

Furthermore, our implementation studies and process evaluations have identified strengths and challenges in the delivery of our program in real-world settings. Through ongoing monitoring and evaluation, we have been able to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to our program implementation. For instance, we have refined our training materials for educators based on feedback from workshops and training sessions, ensuring that they are better equipped to facilitate student learning effectively.

The data collected from our research and studies has reinforced the importance of hands-on, experiential learning approaches in STEM education. It has highlighted the effectiveness of our program in engaging students, fostering their interest in STEM subjects, and developing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Moving forward, this evidence will continue to inform our work as we strive to enhance the impact and scalability of our STEM Education Program.

In conclusion, the insights from our research and studies have been instrumental in shaping the design, implementation, and refinement of our STEM Education Program. By leveraging data-driven decision-making, we are confident in our ability to deliver a high-quality educational experience that empowers students to succeed in STEM fields and beyond.

Qubix Robotics is committed to providing a high-quality, impactful STEM education program for Malawian students. While our solution has shown promising results in enhancing STEM education and promoting sustainability, we recognize the importance of building a robust evidence base through a LEAP Project. Engaging in a LEAP Project presents an opportune moment for us to deepen our understanding of the program's effectiveness, refine our approach based on empirical insights, and enhance our ability to demonstrate tangible outcomes. .

Demonstrating Impact for Scaling:

Scaling the Program: Qubix Robotics is poised for significant growth. We aim to expand beyond pilot schools and establish ourselves as a leading force in Malawian STEM education. A strong evidence base, built through a LEAP Project, will be instrumental in attracting crucial partners, funders, and government support to facilitate large-scale implementation.

Data-Driven Advocacy:

With a rigorous evaluation, we can definitively demonstrate the program's impact on student learning outcomes, particularly in areas like science knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. This data will be invaluable when advocating for wider program adoption by the Malawian Ministry of Education and other stakeholders.

Building a Culture of Evidence:

Moving Beyond Anecdotes: While anecdotal evidence from pilot programs has been encouraging, a LEAP Project allows us to move beyond testimonials and establish a data-driven approach to program evaluation. This strengthens our credibility and allows us to present a more compelling case for the program's effectiveness.

Informing Continuous Improvement: The LEAP Project will provide valuable data to guide program refinement. Understanding student responses, teacher experiences, and areas for improvement through focus groups and assessments will allow us to continuously enhance the curriculum, materials, and delivery methods of the Qubix Robotics program.

Why Now is the Right Time:

Early-Stage Growth: As Qubix Robotics is at a critical juncture of scaling, a LEAP Project now allows us to refine the program and build a strong evidence base before large-scale implementation. This ensures program effectiveness from the outset and avoids potential challenges later.

Momentum and Motivation: The pilot programs have generated excitement and positive feedback from students, teachers, and the community. Capitalizing on this momentum with a LEAP Project will allow us to translate enthusiasm into a data-driven approach for sustainable program growth.

By engaging in a LEAP Project now, Qubix Robotics can leverage the project's outputs as stepping stones to a robust evidence base. This will strengthen our program, attract crucial support for wider adoption, and ultimately empower a greater number of Malawian students with the critical STEM skills they need to succeed.

1. What is the impact of our educational program on students' academic performance, particularly in STEM subjects?
2. How does our program contribute to students' awareness and understanding of environmental sustainability principles?
3. What are the key factors influencing the implementation and adoption of our program in public schools?

During the LEAP Project sprint, we aim to receive research recommendations that encompass study designs, strategies, frameworks, and monitoring and evaluation tools. These outputs will provide us with actionable insights to strengthen the evidence base of our solution. Specifically, we anticipate receiving refined research methodologies, data collection instruments, and analysis frameworks tailored to our program's context. Additionally, we seek guidance on establishing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track program outcomes and inform continuous improvement efforts.

1. Refined Pre- and Post-Program Assessments :

• Focus: Develop and pilot assessments that accurately measure student knowledge gain in core STEM concepts targeted by the Qubix Robotics program.
• Deliverable: A bank of age-appropriate test items aligned with Malawian curriculum standards, covering key areas like electronics, physics, and critical thinking. These assessments would be piloted with a small sample group to ensure clarity and effectiveness.

2. Comprehensive Focus Group Guide :

• Focus: Create a structured guide to facilitate insightful discussions with students and teachers about their program experiences.
• Deliverable: A well-defined guide with open-ended questions to explore student engagement, learning motivation, perceived program impact on STEM skills and environmental awareness, and suggestions for improvement.

3. Draft Research Design for Future RCT (Summative Research):

• Focus: Leverage the LEAP Fellows' expertise to establish a framework for a future, large-scale randomized control trial (RCT) to definitively measure program impact.
• Deliverable: A draft research design outlining key aspects like:
  • Identifying appropriate control groups (e.g., schools receiving traditional science curriculum)
  • Defining primary and secondary outcome metrics (e.g., STEM knowledge test scores, self-reported environmental awareness)
  • Data collection protocols and sampling strategies

These targeted outputs, achievable within the LEAP Project timeframe, will provide Qubix Robotics with the foundation to strengthen our program's evidence base. The refined assessments will allow us to track learning outcomes, while the focus group guide will offer valuable qualitative data. Most importantly, the draft RCT design will be instrumental in securing funding for a future large-scale evaluation, solidifying the program's effectiveness and impact.

Following the 12-week LEAP Project sprint, Qubix Robotics will leverage the project's valuable outputs to propel our program's impact and solidify its evidence base.

Here's how we plan to utilize each deliverable:

1. Implementing Refined Assessments:

The refined pre- and post-program assessments will be immediately integrated into our ongoing program.  These assessments will be administered to students in participating schools at the beginning and end of the program cycle. The collected data will be analyzed to track student knowledge gain in core STEM concepts over time. This will enable us to demonstrate the program's effectiveness in improving student learning outcomes. We will also share anonymized data with relevant stakeholders, including the Malawian Ministry of Education, to advocate for the program's wider adoption.

2. Conducting Focus Group Sessions:

We will utilize the comprehensive focus group guide developed during the LEAP Project to conduct in-depth discussions with students and teachers across participating schools. By analyzing the qualitative data gathered from these sessions, we will gain deeper insights into student and teacher experiences with the program. This will inform future program iterations, allowing us to tailor curriculum materials, delivery methods, and training approaches to better address student needs and preferences. We will also use anonymized quotes and key takeaways from focus groups in grant proposals and communication materials to showcase the program's positive impact on students and educators.

3. Securing Funding for Full-Scale RCT:

The draft research design for a future RCT, crafted with the LEAP Fellows' guidance, will be crucial in securing funding for a large-scale impact evaluation. We will present this draft design, along with anonymized data from the refined assessments and focus groups, to potential funders like government agencies, educational NGOs, and international development organizations. A well-defined RCT design will demonstrate the rigor of our evaluation approach and increase confidence in the program's potential to improve STEM education in Malawi.

By strategically implementing these outputs, Qubix Robotics aims to achieve a lasting impact:

Strengthened Evidence Base: The refined assessments and focus group data will provide a solid foundation for future evaluations.  The draft RCT design will pave the way for a definitive impact evaluation, solidifying the program's effectiveness for potential funders and policymakers.

Continuous Program Improvement: Utilizing qualitative data from focus groups, we will continuously refine the program to enhance student engagement, learning outcomes, and environmental awareness.

Wider Program Adoption: With a robust evidence base, Qubix Robotics can confidently advocate for wider program adoption by the Malawian Ministry of Education and other stakeholders, ensuring a greater impact on Malawian students' access to quality STEM education.

The 12-week LEAP Project sprint has the potential to be a transformative experience for both Qubix Robotics and the future of STEM education in Malawi. Here's how we envision the long-term outcomes for our organization and solution:

For Qubix Robotics:

• Stronger Evidence Base: 

The LEAP Project will equip us with the tools to build a robust evidence base for the Qubix Robotics program. The refined assessments and focus group data will provide valuable insights, while the draft RCT design will be a roadmap for a future large-scale impact evaluation. This evidence will solidify Qubix Robotics' reputation as a data-driven organization with a demonstrably effective program, attracting further investment and fostering impactful partnerships.

• Enhanced Program Design: 

By analyzing qualitative data from focus groups, we will gain a deeper understanding of student and teacher experiences. This will allow us to continuously refine the Qubix Robotics program, ensuring it remains engaging, effective, and adaptable to different learning environments. This iterative improvement process will ensure the program's long-term sustainability and scalability.

• Increased Visibility and Impact: 

With a strong evidence base and a well-defined plan for a future RCT, Qubix Robotics will be able to confidently advocate for the program's wider adoption. This could lead to partnerships with the Malawian Ministry of Education, educational NGOs, and international development organizations. Increased visibility and wider program adoption will significantly amplify the impact of Qubix Robotics, empowering a larger number of Malawian students with the critical STEM skills needed for the 21st century.

For Malawian STEM Education:

• Improved Learning Outcomes: 

The refined assessments developed during the LEAP Project will provide a standardized tool to track student knowledge gain in core STEM concepts across participating schools. This data will be used to demonstrate the program's effectiveness in improving student learning outcomes, potentially influencing national curriculum development and inspiring the adoption of similar hands-on, project-based approaches in Malawian schools.

• Enhanced Student Engagement: 

By utilizing focus group data to understand student experiences and preferences, the Qubix Robotics program can be continuously refined to become more engaging and motivating for students. This could lead to increased student participation in STEM subjects, fostering a culture of innovation and critical thinking in Malawian schools.

• Promoting Environmental Awareness: 

The program's emphasis on using recycled materials for radio kits can be further emphasized based on the LEAP Project findings. This could not only contribute to a more sustainable program model but also raise awareness of environmental issues among students, teachers, and the wider Malawian community.

The LEAP Project sprint is a crucial step in Qubix Robotics' journey to make a lasting impact on Malawian STEM education. The project's outputs, combined with our commitment to continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making, have the potential to empower students, strengthen the education system, and contribute to a brighter future for Malawi.