Intellectual Rigor | Ethical Leadership | Technical Expertise
The Visiola Foundation’s Accra STEM Camp is an exciting residential program designed to pique the interest of girls in the STEM fields. The camp will hold on December 11 – 18, 2021 in Accra, Ghana. The theme of this year’s camp is, “Renewable Energy and Robotics for Sustainable Development.” It is designed to expose students to the diverse renewable energy options available in Ghana, while helping them harness this potential for economic growth and development.
They will be taught the science behind solar power and will be given the opportunity to build demo projects to generate electricity using solar, hydro and turbine, and install basic solar systems.
The Visiola Foundation is therefore partnering with UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, whose mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. Violence against girls and women is a global crisis, which has been heightened in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Empowering girls with valuable knowledge and information about their sexual reproductive health and how to protect themselves against gender-based violence are therefore critical. Moreover, engaging with men and boys to sensitize them on becoming advocates for girls and women’s economic empowerment and safety is an important activity in creating a safe, equal, and inclusive world. The STEM camp will therefore feature modules in these topics, as well as self-defense classes, and a final presentation to a broad audience for awareness building.
They will leave the camp with healthy self-esteem, and an in-depth understanding of their sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as with strong self-defense and self-advocacy skills.
The specific objectives of the STEM camp are:
To increase girls’ understanding of solar power with a view to encourage them to pursue careers in engineering help solve Africa’s energy deficit.
To increase girls’ competency in conducting scientific investigations and critical thinking/reasoning.
To increase girls’ facility and mastery in STEM skills.
To increase girls’ confidence and interest in conducting STEM activities.
To increase girls’ understanding of the multiple applications of STEM in
everyday life.To increase girls’ awareness of STEM careers and interest in pursuing STEM careers.
To equip girls with knowledge about their sexual and reproductive health and how to advocate for their own safety.
To empower girls with self-defense skills.
They will leave the camp with healthy self-esteem, and an in-depth understanding of their sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as with strong self-defense and self-advocacy skills.
At the end of the camp, the students will no longer view STEM as boring, but will instead realize that the concepts are interesting, exciting, and are relevant to their daily lives. In addition, the girls will be coached to become better public speakers and to give engaging presentations.
Applications will be accepted from eligible candidates from across Ghana who meet the following criteria:
Must be between the ages of 13 and 18
Must have at least a “B” average
Must be available for the full duration of the camp
Parents and/or guardians are responsible for transporting their children to and from the camp venue.
Accra STEM Camp applicants should send their complete application package to admin@visiolafoundation.org
The application package should include the following:
The completed application form
A typed 500 word essay explaining the applicant’s interest in the
Accra STEM Camp and what she hopes to achieveAcademic record for the past year
Statement of support from parent or guardian
