1.0 Overview
On October 3, 2024, Tech Herfrica, in partnership with the Federal Capital Territory Secondary Education Board (SEB), Child of Christ Community, Mashindano, Laerryblue Media, and Faslearn, launched the STEM Her initiative at a public school in the Federal Capital Territory-Government Day Secondary School, Wuse 2. The initiative, focused on increasing girls’ participation in STEM courses, aims to equip young female students with essential digital and technological skills, fostering their interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The event saw active participation from 42 girls, marking a significant step towards digital inclusion for young women in the school.
A notable activity was the establishment of the STEM Club and the provision of a one-year unlimited internet subscription which is targeted at closing the educational outcomes for underserved students using Technology. With this provision, the students in the school can now learn online and engage in meaningful activities during the STEM Club. The internet provision helps the school to reap benefits from the desktop system already available in the school.
2.0 Event Delivery
This event was structured to ensure engagement and practical learning for the students:
- Pre-Assessment: A pre-assessment revealed that 13 out of the 42 girls owned smartphones, which they mainly used for research and school assignments. This indicated the potential to leverage existing resources for more effective learning.
- Digital Skills Training: The students were introduced to foundational computer skills, including starting a computer, connecting to the internet, and creating email accounts. Over 30 female students actively participated in the hands-on training session, with additional support from teachers and facilitators.
3.0 Key Activities and Outcomes
The STEM Her launch featured several key activities and outcomes:
- Digital Advocates and Champions Selection: The students nominated two teachers as digital advocates to provide ongoing support for their digital learning. Additionally, two students were elected as digital champions to lead their peers in further STEM activities and initiatives.
- Provision of One Year Internet Subscription: The foundational support of a year-long unlimited internet subscription enables the students to access online learning resources and engage in STEM Club activities effectively. With the school already equipped with desktop systems, the new internet provision ensures these resources are now fully utilized. Students can now seamlessly connect to educational platforms, conduct research, and participate in digital skill-building activities.
- Email Account Creation: A major highlight of the event was guiding 12 students, who previously did not have email addresses, in setting up their accounts. This gave the girls a sense of empowerment and access to the digital world for learning and educational
- STEM Club Formation: The event concluded with the formation of a STEM Club, creating an ongoing platform for continuous engagement in STEM. To support their growth and leadership in STEM fields, educational grants were awarded to the selected digital champions. Additionally, Tech Herfrica provided these champions and advocates with a tailored curriculum, designed to deepen their knowledge and skills as they continue their journey in STEM.
4.0 Training Focus Areas
The training session covered several key areas aimed at enhancing the students’ digital skills:
- Basic computer operations, including starting and shutting down systems
- Connecting to the Internet for research and communication
- Creating and managing personal email accounts
- Emphasizing the importance of STEM education and digital literacy
The students were enthusiastic participants, eager to learn and apply these new skills. They demonstrated their capabilities in creating email accounts and navigating online tools, laying the foundation for future growth in STEM subjects.
5.0 Impact and Outcomes
The immediate impact of the STEM Her launch was evident in several areas:
- Empowerment through Digital Access: Students who previously lacked access to email now had the opportunity to open accounts, giving them new avenues for learning and communication.
- Formation of a STEM Support Network: The establishment of a STEM Club and the nomination of digital champions and advocates ensure continued engagement in STEM subjects, with peer and teacher support to sustain the momentum.
- Increased Enthusiasm for STEM Learning: The event sparked significant interest among the students, with many expressing a desire to learn more about digital tools and STEM-related subjects. This enthusiasm sets the stage for future workshops and training sessions.
- Broadening Internet Access: The one-year unlimited internet subscription, while initially targeted at the STEM Club members, also benefits over 150 girls in the school who use the computer lab for their regular classes. This expanded access enhances digital literacy and ensures that more students reap the rewards of digital tools and resources, creating a ripple effect throughout the school.
6.0 Lessons Learned
Several valuable lessons emerged from the event:
- Tailoring Training to Student Needs: The pre-assessment highlighted the need to leverage existing resources, such as smartphones, to maximize learning outcomes. Focusing on practical, hands-on activities ensured that the students were able to apply new skills immediately.
- Building Local Support Systems: Involving teachers as digital advocates and students as digital champions created a support structure that will sustain the initiative in the long term. This approach helps to ensure continuity in the student’s digital education.
- Student Engagement: The active participation and enthusiasm of the students demonstrated the importance of creating a learning environment that encourages curiosity and exploration in STEM subjects.
7.0 Sustainability
To ensure the long-term success of the STEM Her project, Tech Herfrica plans to implement several sustainability strategies:
- Regular Follow-up Sessions: Continued training and mentorship will be provided to help students build on the skills acquired during the launch event.
- Strengthening School Partnerships: Tech Herfrica will work closely with the school and its staff to integrate STEM learning into their extracurricular activities, ensuring that students have access to resources and support.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: The project will be regularly monitored to track progress and identify areas for improvement. This will ensure that the initiative continues to meet the needs of the students and has a lasting impact.
8.0 Conclusion
The launch of STEM Her at Government Day Secondary School, Wuse 2 was a resounding success. It provided the students with valuable digital skills and ignited their interest in STEM fields. The establishment of the STEM Club and the nomination of digital champions will ensure continued engagement in STEM subjects, while the enthusiasm of the students indicates the potential for future educational initiatives. Tech Herfrica is committed to sustaining this momentum through regular follow-up sessions and continued collaboration with the school and its partners.