STEM Girls Connect’s Post

"Intelligence knows no gender." I can't count the number of times I have heard cynical comments about low-income African girls and young women being able to excel in the STEM fields. Skeptics often challenge our work, scoffing that our students probably can't really code after graduating from our intense coding boot camps, or that they don't actually secure tech jobs and other opportunities. Triumphantly, we have a growing number of positive impact stories, with our students securing paid internships, jobs, scholarships, gaining college admission to pursue STEM degrees, and also excelling at national and global STEM competitions. We've highlighted some of these testimonials in our latest e-newsletter. In addition, I am especially proud that two Visiola Foundation students were competitively awarded the World Science Scholar fellowship in 2020 and 2023. We are changing the narrative to underscore the fact that African girls and women are intellectually astute and they therefore CAN DO STEM! Watch this inspiring video from some of our students, including 2 World Science Scholars whom we have nurtured over the past few years. Africa No Filter UN Women #VisiolaAT10 #girlsinstem #womeninstem #STEM #stemeducation #girlseducation #skills #jobs #science #tech #engineering #math #innovation #ict4d #robotics #aritificialintelligence

Celebrating collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office in STEM education!   At a recent event, 235 students from the periphery of Israel were awarded STEM scholarships, showcasing the joint efforts of the Prime Minister’s Office and ISEF. Shelley Yossi, the director of the Prime Minister’s office, emphasized the importance of investing in scientific and technological education as a way to ensure the country's future and unlock the full potential of students from the periphery. Highlighting the strategic importance of ISEF's mission, the Prime Minister's Office recently pledged an additional half a million shekel to ISEF, further solidifying their commitment to nurturing talent from all corners of Israel. Additionally, Chairwoman Emerita and ISEF founder Nina Weiner, shared her pride in our students the contribution to Israeli society and the PMO's initiative, while highlighting how important ISEF donors are to continue this project. This initiative not only boosts Israel’s high-tech sector but also inspires youth in marginalized communities to pursue their potential and dream big! Office of the Prime Minister of Israel galit caspi cohen #isef #highereducation #israelieducation #society #community #students #studentsupport #studentsuccess #primeminister #stem #stemactivities #stemstudents #science #technology #engineers #scientists #future #futuregeneration 

Title: Beyond STEM: Embracing a Well-Rounded Education Approach in South Africa 📚 In an era that glorifies STEM fields - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics - students globally, including here in South Africa, face significant pressure from parents and peers to pursue these subjects. But what about arts, humanities, or social sciences? Aren't these crucial too for cultivating well-rounded individuals capable of thriving in the 21st-century landscape? During my own school years, I remember feeling pulled towards the arts, yet societal expectations nudged me towards science. It's a narrative many among us can relate to. Reflecting years later, I appreciate the beauty in having a broad academic curriculum and how it has enriched my professional and personal life. While STEM is undoubtedly critical in today's job market, we must not underestimate the value of diverse academic pursuits that foster creativity, critical thinking, and empathy. Encouraging a balanced education system can help alleviate undue stress and anxiety that stems from funneling students into specific fields. It allows students to explore their genuine interests and potentials. So, what can we do? Both educators and parents have pivotal roles: 1. Offer students the freedom to explore a variety of subjects. 2. Provide guidance based on students’ strengths and interests, not just market demand. 3. Implement policies that recognize and reward a broad range of competencies. Let's start a conversation: 🤔 Have you ever felt pressured to pursue a subject that didn't align with your passions? 💬 What steps should our education system take to promote a more holistic approach? I encourage everyone in academia, industry, and policy-making to reflect on these issues. Your insights could be the beacon that guides the next generation towards a more fulfilling educational journey. #EducationReform #HolisticEducation #StudentWellbeing #CareerGuidance #SkillsPassport 🎓

Imagine a world where every student has access to high-quality STEM education, regardless of their background. That world is closer than you think. Orion's Quest is tearing down barriers by offering their STEM programs at absolutely NO COST to schools. This is a game-changer for educational equality. But there's more to it than just free resources: Researchers involved come from all walks of life. They've faced poverty, bullying, and even personal apathy. These are not just educators; they're beacons of inspiration. When students learn about the challenges these researchers have overcome, they don't just see a lesson; they see themselves. They see hope. They realize that their current circumstances don't define their future potential. Here are some key insights: ● Accessible STEM education is not a luxury but a necessity for future generations. ● The power of personal stories in education can ignite a student's drive and ambition. ● Overcoming adversity is a universal theme that resonates with students, fostering resilience and determination. Education is more than textbooks and tests; it's about lifting each other up and seeing the possibilities beyond our immediate horizon. Let's champion programs like Orion's Quest that push us closer to that reality. #STEMEducation #EducationalEquity #InspiringResearchers #FutureLeaders #OrionsQuest

As we celebrate Women and Girls in Science Day, it's important to recognize the role that afterschool clubs play in fostering a science and STEM identity in young learners. This is especially true for young girls in Sub-Saharan Africa. Check out this new blog for more information on the importance of afterschool clubs in promoting STEM education and African development. #stemeducation #womenandgirls #africandevelopment

Unlocking girls' potential in STEM is critical for shaping our future. Author and educator Stacey Roshan shares three ways to make STEM education more accessible and exciting for girls: 🔬 Implement activities that encourage cross-division collaboration 🔍 Create opportunities for authentic research 📓Organize curricula that cater to a variety of interests and abilities Ready to empower the next generation of innovators? Gain insights and guidance from the experiences of Bullis School: https://lnkd.in/eSAGV8c6. #STEM #GirlsInStem #DiversityInStem

Yesterday, the world celebrated 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱!🌍 As the Chapter Leader of WAAW Foundation at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu chapter, I led an outreach with my amazing team to Makun High School, Sagamu, where we had the privilege of engaging 500 female students from JSS1 to JSS3. Our goal? 📌 To inspire them to dream big, pursue STEM careers, and believe that their gender is not a limitation. The theme: 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬’ 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞., guided our conversation, reminding them to pursue their dreams boldly. 🫧 We kicked things off with a session introducing STEM—highlighting its endless possibilities in industries like tech, engineering, and healthcare. We then spoke on the importance of personal development, teaching them to work hard and smart, and how they can pursue their interests with confidence. 💡 📌 Throughout the session, the girls were engaged, and answered insightful questions about their future careers. It was incredible to see their eyes light up as we shared with and celebrated them. We then had a powerful affirmation session, reemphasizing the theme. This outreach reaffirmed the importance of gender-based education. As a result of our visit, the school will be resuming their gender-based assemblies—a space where both boys and girls can have their unique needs addressed. The school management were so grateful that we came and requested that we come back for more sessions, this time to delve into practical STEM sessions with the girls. 💙🫧 It was heartwarming to receive such positive feedback from both students and teachers, and even the school principals, showing us that the impact was felt deeply. We’re committed to changing the narrative, one girl at a time. 👩🔬👩💻 P:s: what intrigues you the most about the girl child? #GirlsInSTEM #InternationalDayOfTheGirlChild #STEMAdvocate #Impact #versatiledesigner #FutureLeaders #STEMEducation

This is a helpful guide when program planning STEM experiences. I like the way it focuses on three important outcomes and provides specific and actionable strategies educators can use to achieve those outcomes. It's realistic and flexible while providing powerful ways to create spaces that serve all learners.

What I'm reading today: DSU Professor Sarah Crossingham Leads Innovative STEM Peace Camp with $10,000 Grant Peace innovation in action! "The STEM World Peace Game Camp places students in dynamic situations where they tackle more than 50 interconnected global issues, from economic crises to environmental disasters. Participants work in teams to develop solutions while facilitators encourage resilience and innovation by allowing initial failures. Reflective thinking is emphasized, with students maintaining logs and engaging in self-assessments to enhance communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills. The long-term goal is to promote skills in a new generation that are transferable to the real world." The integration of STEM education with peace-building skills exemplifies how technical education can be leveraged to foster broader social goals, aligning with the ideals of peace innovation by encouraging the next generation to think critically and act compassionately in complex situations. Or to paraphrase Kamala Harris, we didn't just all out of a coconut tree. We exist within a context. Training the next generation to look at situations and challenges in a holistic manner gets us closer to solutions that actually work. #coconuttree #stem #peaceinnovation #peaceengineering #gamedesignthinking cc Ramiro Jordan Joseph Hughes Mira Olson James Tangorra Keil Eggers, PhD Brian Abrams Craig Jonas, Ph.D. Craig Zelizer Chris Bennett https://lnkd.in/gcnUGEy8

One of our early interventions strategy to close the technology gap is mentoring our young girls and encouraging them to pursue STEM courses and careers. A major constraint is low participation and a weak pipeline in STEM fields, with less than 30% female students pursuing STEM in higher education, in majority of African countries. #closethegap #womenintech