Thursday, May 8, 2025, will remain a memorable day for membership of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) clubs in basic schools in the Upper East and North East Regions run by Afrikids under the One Million Smiles Project.
This is because the all-girls club had some members; nearly a hundred (100) embarked on a STEM trip that will change their dreams for the better.
In the Upper East Region, many young girls desire to be doctors and nurses, with a few wanting to go into the profession that trained them – teaching. But this is mostly informed by the seeming lack of knowledge about the opportunities that exist in other areas, some of which are male-dominated.
After embarking on an educational trip, some of these girls say their dreams have changed. The trip was spearheaded by Afrikids Ghana, a non-governmental organization headquartered in the Upper East Region, for members of STEM clubs in 61 schools in three districts, namely the Mamprugu Moagduri, Builsa South, and Binduri Districts in the North East and Upper East Regions, respectively.
It all began with a visit to the STEM Senior High School-Kpasenkpe in the North East Region, where the girls were exposed to virtual technology, robotics, and engineering experiments.
They later returned to the Upper East Region, where they were conducted around the AVIC laboratory of the Bolgatanga Technical University, which has fully automated auto-mechanics and mechanical engineering labs.
The trip ended at ICOUR-Navrongo, where the girls were exposed to the various irrigation systems and technology in place to ensure all-year-round farming to boost the economy.
Being their first time embarking on such a trip, Zakaria Mariam, a learner of Fumbisi Preparatory Junior High School, said that she has since changed from desiring to be a doctor or a nurse to an engineer.
She holds the view that venturing into engineering would allow her to not only explore with machines but also venture into an area dominated by males.
“I am very excited for this trip. Ever since we started our trip from Kpasenkpe STEM SHS to the Bolgatanga Technical University, I have learnt a lot, and I feel I have to take a course in engineering. I used to tell myself that I wanted to be a doctor or nurse, but from what I have seen, I want to be an engineer,” she said
Another learner, Akanmusimi Ruth of the St. Peter and Paul Junior High School in Fumbisi, said she is inspired by the trip to switch from hoping to become a doctor to desiring to be an engineer. This is because she now understands the opportunities STEM can offer to an individual.
“It’s been a lovely experience, and I have realized that technology is not only for men, but girls can also go into it. I encourage girls to go into STEM because when I was home, I said I wanted to be a medical doctor, but now, I want to be an engineer. It has changed because many women are already doctors, but when it comes to the technology side, there are not many. So, I have decided that I want to be an engineer.”
Speaking to the Media, the Country Director of Afrikids Ghana, David Pwalua, explained that STEM, which is an important component of the educational aspect of the One Million Smiles Project, is prioritized in a bid to address decades of stereotypes against girls by helping them to venture into STEM.
According to him, many of the girls, who have made it to the senior high school are reading science and equally mentoring their peers to embrace STEM.
Traveling with the girls to various destinations, Cecilia Awiah, the Binduri District Manager of Afrikids Ghana, described the trip as exciting.
