Step Into STEM: Reaching the Stars!

Hello Linkedln Fam,

It's been a while since I last shared updates from Starlight Africa . Today, I am happy to reconnect with a few exciting updates. The name "Starlight" holds a special place in my heart, as it reflects my deep fascination with the moon phases, stars, and the vastness of the galaxy. I believe that just like the stars, every individual possesses their own unique brilliance and potential to shine.?

I've been quite occupied lately, especially after participating in the ECOSOC Youth Forum that took place in New York a month ago and my daily work as an advocate for Education with Restless Development , Women Deliver young leader, with The Refugee Education Project, as a youth leader at Global Partnership for Education and as a Next Generation Fellow for Education at the United Nations Foundation .?Upon my return, Ariane Umuringa and I launched the Step Into STEM, a Starlight project?in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation .?

Let me take you back to 2015 when I was pursuing my first degree in electrical engineering. It was during that time that I met Ariane, who became my friend and #changemaking partner. As classmates, we both shared a common aspiration to create innovations and make a difference as girls.

Despite the challenges we faced, we dedicated ourselves to excelling in Engineering. Eventually, we decided to become advocates for education, with a specific focus on encouraging more girls to pursue #Science, #Technology #Engineering and #Mathematics (STEM) fields and empowering them to lead change. We firmly believe that young girls possess incredible potential within themselves to shine brightly and transform the world.

Motivated by this belief, Ariane and I launched a mission to challenge the status quo and redefine the narrative surrounding girls in #STEM. In 2016, we took proactive steps and founded Starlight, a social enterprise that makes STEM learning fun and Engaging for young girls in Africa. Our workshops are designed to be interactive, fun, and engaging, making science more appealing to the young minds. Over the past five years, we have established strong partnerships with five schools and a local community center for children. Our impact has reached over 4,000 students since our inception.?

Now, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation,?we are implementing The Step into STEM, an enriching program specifically designed for high school girls. Quick facts from the recent research done by VVOB , we learned that only 27% of female students opt for STEM subjects during their A-levels. What's even more concerning is that out of those who do choose STEM, 30% continue to pursue STEM-related degrees at the university level. These statistics shed light on the obstacles that girls face in acquiring the competencies needed for success in STEM careers. In response to this issue, our program takes a holistic approach by integrating experiential STEM learning, career guidance, and design thinking and innovation. Our ultimate goal is to break down the barriers that hinder young women's participation in STEM and equip them with the skills and tools necessary to navigate and excel in STEM fields.

Some key features of our program are:

?? Hands-on Class training activities we deliver over the weekend

?? Self-guided STEM materials provided to students during the holiday period?

?? Establishment of STEM clubs in schools?

???? Science Teachers training

Our program has already made a significant impact:

• So far, we have reached 200 girls across four schools in the Muhanga and Ruhango districts.?
• Our experiential learning approach has covered various topics including the beauty of Mathematics where girls?dived into the fascinating realm of cryptography, explored Technology narrative, and STEM careers.
• ?Through regular class presentations, girls have overcome the fear of public speaking, enhancing their self-confidence and ability to express their ideas.

Here are some valuable insights we have gained from our journey so far:

1. We need to do more to ensure a great representation and more young girls in STEM fields.?
2. Young girls possess immense creativity, often surpassing their own expectations
3. Teachers need additional training to ensure an equitable approach toward girls in STEM education.

By leveraging these learnings, we are determined to further refine and expand our efforts, continuing to empower more girls to thrive in STEM fields.

Thank you for taking the time to read about our journey and the impact we are striving to make.? And I take this time to give a special shout out to #Teachers, the dream team of our STEM facilitators Nancy Adelice Umutoniwase N. and Vanessa S. IRAKOZE who are supporting us in making this strong mission a reality.?

Together, we can create a world where every girl has the opportunity to unlock her full potential and make her mark in the STEM community. Follow Starlight Africa LinkedIn page to learn more about about this exciting work and the fantastic stories of girls in Rwanda.

Let’s?do this!

Alice