When an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) or Open World project has teaching STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), non-profit management, best practices in education, or entrepreneurship as an objective, Basil Kuloba, the executive director of INERTIA Education Programs, Inc., makes time in his calendar to share his experiences with exchange participants.
Kuloba co-founded INERTIA when he was attending the University of West Florida as an undergraduate. The program uses STEM concepts in an engaging afterschool program for elementary school students and reinforces classroom learning by collaborating with teachers. International visitors lucky enough to be in town during INERTIA sessions have seen Kuloba and his team introducing new concepts to students. Others have discussed the INERTIA model and how Kuloba has been able to harness community support for his work.
Speaking with various changemakers through international exchange has been impactful to Kuloba who has been inspired by these interactions. Knowing other people around the world are doing the same type of work brings things into perspective and, according to Kuloba, “It helps avoid tunnel-vision,” while building a great support network at the same time.
Each opportunity to meet with IVLP and Open World visitors has offered new insights and has highlighted the diversity found around the globe, something the team at INERTIA appreciates as it brings them into contact with others who are just as passionate about making a difference in world. Interacting with educators is particularly memorable to Kuloba who has connected to several science educators from Jordan and Israel. “We follow each other on Instagram and keep each other updated. We also email each other back and forth to see how we are doing and congratulate each other on different projects.”
To see how the organization addresses afterschool needs while sparking curiosity and learning through hands-on activities, visit the INERTIA website at https://inertiapensacola.org/. Poke around a bit and you will soon see why a visit with Kuloba is a must for many of our international visitors. Prepare to be inspired.
Basil welcomed a group of IVLP educators from Kazakhstan in April 2019