STEM Boot Camp Turkana County

Woman and girls are under-represented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics course and career pathways.   Globally, the proportion of women in STEM-related field is below 30%, and this under representation of one gender in science is not only detrimental to scientific progress but also its a major impediment to socio-economic development. According to 2021 UNESCO Science Report, globally, women remain a minority in digital information technology, computing, physics, Mathematics, engineering representing only 22% of Artificial Intelligence professionals, 33% of researchers are women, 12% are in academies of science and 2% in venture capital for tech women led start-ups. In Kenya, only 8% of professional engineers are women. Several factors contribute to the dismal uptake of STEM among girls and underrepresentation of women and girls in STEM including social stereotypes, lack of role models, cultural norms and expectations and economic barriers. For example, social stereotypes often portray STEM fields as masculine and reinforce the idea that boys are naturally better at STEM subjects. These stereotypes can discourage girls from pursuing STEM interests or careers. Lack of role models especially a shortage of visible female role models in STEM fields, may discourage girls from pursuing STEM courses or careers. Economic carriers including cost of tuition, transportation, or access to technology, can also prevent girls in marginalized communities including refugees from pursuing STEM education opportunities. The Kenya National Commission for UNESCO in partnership with the Ministry of Education, UNESCO, National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation have been implementing a programme aimed at promoting the uptake of STEM since 2014 through STEM Camps of excellence for girls across the 46 counties. On 22nd -26th April 2024, Kenya National Commission for a one-week STEM mentorship camp for girls. This mentorship camp which also included training of teachers in gender responsive STEM education and hosted by St Monicah Girls Boarding School in Lodwar brought together over 140 from one to three girls drawn from over 12 schools from Turkana County. This now bring the coverage of counties covered since the programme was initiated to 47 Counties. The opening ceremony was graced by the Hon. Etelej Korea Moses the Chief Officer in charge of Education Turkana County, Ministry of Education officials, KNATCOM, Rotuno Kipsang, Chief of Zonal Office for UNICEF in charge of Turkana and West Pokot, Felic Rono from UNESCO, representatives from NACOSTI and KUCCPS, STEM mentors and teachers from various partners. During the opening ceremony, the Secretary General of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO Dr James Njogu challenged the girls to remain focused and overcome social stereotypes, unconscious bias, cultural norms and expectations and economic barriers to embrace STEM subjects and careers. During the camp students will be mentored by women mentors, trained in coding, 3D printing, app development and robotics. The camp is coordinated by the Kenya National Commission and the Ministry of Education, through partnership with UNICEF and UNESCO.

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