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STEM Adventures in Storytelling: How African Children’s Stories Podcast Brings Math and Science to Life

MAGDALENE CHORONGO

African Chilren’s Stories Podcast Lead

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A STORY IS LIKE THE WIND—IT COMES FROM A FAR-OFF PLACE AND WE FEEL IT- AFRICAN PROVERB

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ABOUT US

African Children’s Stories Podcast, produced by Edutab Africa, is a vibrant space for children, parents, and educators to explore the joy of storytelling and build a strong reading culture across Africa.

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Stories help children make meaning of abstract concepts. In math education, storytelling grounds numerical ideas in real-life contexts, improving retention and transfer.

Math podcasts can be designed to bridge formal and informal learning spaces, supporting parental involvement and multi-generational learning.

Storytelling sparks curiosity, critical thinking, and emotional connection.

WHY STORYTELLING IN STEM?

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LET’S LISTEN TO A STEM STORY

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Critical thinking questions

Soundscapes

Hands-on activities stemming from the stories

Polls

Reflection Pauses

OUR STEM STORYTELLING APPROACH

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IMPACT AND REACH

70+

Podcasts In English and Swahili

8K +

Global Listeners and growing!

1000+

Learners through Read Aloud Sessions

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IMPACT AND REACH

TOP 100

Ranked as the best children’s podcast- by FeedSpot and One million podcast

LEARNING RESOURCE

to 21k+ community of educators

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WHAT WE ARE UP TO!

Animation debut

Kenya Sign Language Interpretation soon!

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HOW CAN WE COLLABORATE?

Story Contributions/ development/ co-creation

Story narrations and translations

Educator Integration

Accessibility Champions

Podcast Amplification

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OUR PARTNERS

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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEER NARRATORS

Ahmed Abdallah Godwin

Fatma Said

Jesca Adema

Joyanda Pendo

Judah Itumbe

David Mwasheghwa

Narisioi Tasighoi

Mitchelle Lung’atso

Patrick Njoroge

Jane Kimani

Faith Wanja

Angel Wambui

Teacher Juma

Mungai Kang’ong’oi

Magdalene Chorongo

The late Michael Mumbo

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REFERENCES

    • Lemonidis, C. & Kaiafa, I. (2019). The Effect of Using Storytelling Strategy on Students Performance in Fractions. Canadian Center of Science and Education. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1210723.pdf
    • eBASE Africa. (2023). Play-based learning through storytelling to improve foundational numeracy in Kenya and Malawi: Proof of concept [Project summary]. eBASE Africa. https://shorturl.at/m2ooA
    • Mhagama, W., Wang’uba Okello, J., Nsyengula, P., & Haule, J. (2025). Questioning the Role that Storytelling Can Play in Preparing Children for Primary Education in Tanzania. Journal of Classroom Action Research. https://journal.eltaorganization.org/index.php/jcar/article/view/247/269

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MAGDALENE CHORONGO

ACS HOST

THANK YOU!

stories@edutab.africa