To tackle
the gender imbalance in the fields of science, technology, engineering and
mathematics globally, no fewer than one hundred and twenty girls across Africa
and the United States of America have been selected to participate in the new
Women in Science STEAM camp.
The WiSci
Camp aims to help bridge that gap through access to education, mentorship
opportunities and leadership training.
This is
part of the role Microsoft, Intel and AOL Charitable Foundation play in
technology-driven curriculum.
To be held
at the Gashora Girls Academy in Rwanda from from July 25 through August 15,
2015, the girls were selected among a competitive pool of applicants from the
networks of Girl Up and the African Leadership Academy, and were chosen for
their demonstrated interest in the STEAM fields and record of leadership in
their community.
Speaking
on the new development, the Deputy Special Representative for Global
Partnerships Thomas Debass said that, “The State Department is thrilled to
support the WiSci Camp this summer,”, adding that , “Through this new and
exciting public-private partnership, we hope to increase opportunities for
women and girls to pursue the necessary knowledge and skill sets to better take
advantage of future career opportunities in STEAM-related fields and ultimately
participate in the global economy.”
Participants
The
participants will be able to share their experience to inspire other girls in
their community upon return to their high schools in the fall.
The camp,
which will be held in Rwanda as the first of its kind is expected to attract
participants from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa,
Tanzania, Uganda and the United States .
Accordingly,
the high school girls from across Africa and the United States will have the
unique opportunity to learn valuable skills in Science, Technology, Engineering,
Art and Design and Math (STEAM) fields, while enjoying a rich cross-cultural
experience.
Curriculum
The STEAM
curriculum will be developed in partnership with science and technology
industry leaders Microsoft, Intel and AOL Inc.
Girls will
have access to mentors from these participating partners, engage in leadership
development and skills-based workshops organized by Girl Up, and take field
trips within Rwanda.
The
specially-curated program will feature hands-on experiential learning and a
wide array of opportunities in the STEAM fields for the participants.
The formal
curriculum will be led by Microsoft and Intel employees and will include a week
each on Computer Science, Robotics and Design, Art & Culture, with time
during the third week to work on small group projects.
During the
event, girls will hear from inspiring guest speakers and mentors, while
participating in sessions on design-thinking, marketing, writing, online
advocacy and leadership development curated and facilitated by Girl Up.
In the initiative,
the AOL Charitable Foundation provided a grant to fund the camp, and will work
with AOL Inc. to enhance the program’s curriculum with expertise in digital
marketing and blogging and involve AOL employees for further mentorship and
volunteer opportunities.
The
capacity building is being organized by the U.S. Department of State, Microsoft
4Afrika, Intel, AOL Charitable Foundation, the United Nations Foundation’s Girl
Up campaign, and the Rwanda Girls Initiative, with support from Meridian
International Center, the Rwandan Ministry of Education, the African Leadership
Academy, and the Global Entrepreneurship Network.
However,
additional programmatic support, according to the promoters was contributed by
UNESCO, HeHe Labs and Indego Africa.
The WiSci
Camp is part of the Let Girls Learn initiative, promoted by First Lady of the
United States Michelle Obama, to ensure adolescent girls get the education to
build brighter futures and stronger communities.
It is also
part of LIONS@FRICA, an initiative founded by the U.S. Department of State
along with Microsoft, Nokia, DEMOAFRICA, VC4Africa, the Global Entrepreneurship
Network, and other partners to help entrepreneurs start and scale new
businesses throughout Africa.
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