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.
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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.
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Applications will be accepted from eligible candidates from across
- 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.
Ghana who meet the following criteria:
Accra STEM Camp applicants should send their complete application
package to admin@visiolafoundation.org
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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 achieve - Academic record for the past year
- Statement of support from parent or guardian