STEM-in-Schools
Fostering Digital Literacy in Every Child
Digital Literacy is essential for success in the 21st century, but Many Africans still lack the skills and knowledge to use and create digital solutions. ASEI’s STEM-in-Schools (SinS) program wants to change that.
Having experienced the shortcomings of the Ugandan education system firsthand, ASEI-cofounders saw how it failed to equip students with the digital skills and knowledge they needed to thrive in the 21st century.
Despite some reforms, the situation has not improved much. Students still lack access and exposure to digital resources beyond the basic office suite packages. This leaves them with low confidence and competence in using digital tools and platforms, and unable to compete in the global market thus they are left behind.
We are forming STEM Bubbles in Schools to change that
We aim to break this cycle of digital illiteracy. Through the STEM-in-Schools (SinS) program, we partner with schools to form STEM bubbles within those schools.
Inside the STEM bubbles, we provide students with access to computers, internet, and training in computer programming. We enable these students to enhance their learning, critical-thinking, and problem-solving abilities through developing digital projects.
We empower them to become global citizens and innovators who can compete in the global market. We are transforming their education and their future.
Our SinS Approach
We have integrated and outreach SinS programs
Integrated SinS
In this approach, the SinS program is incorporated in the school timetable of the different classes all term and year around. Students in this approach go through an in-depth curriculum and once completed, they are awarded certificates as Junior or Advanced student developers. It is in this approach that we create STEM Bubbles of different classes in the school in which students categorically learn computer programming and horn their skill
Out-Reach SinS
In this approach, the SinS program is taken on by a school in an outreach format. The school assigns a day for a particular class within a term and the ASEI team comprised of mentors, volunteers and industry experts spend that day at school doing STEM career guidance and also STEM projects demonstrations where those particular participating students learn and complete at least one computer project
Voices of the Transformed
Meet Irene Karungi, a 16-year-old and Asinguza Cox, a 14-year-old. They are students from a local school in Uganda. They love learning and dream of becoming software engineers someday.
But their school has only a few outdated computers that rarely work. They had never learned how to code or use digital tools beyond the basic office suite packages. They felt frustrated and left behind by the digital world.
That’s why Irene and Cox were overjoyed to be part of the STEM bubble. ASEI partnered with their school to provide access to new laptop computers, and training in computer programming.
Irene, Cox, and their classmates learned how to create websites, apps, games, and animations using various languages and frameworks. They also learned how to use digital resources to research, collaborate, and solve problems. They discovered a new passion and confidence in their abilities.
STEM-in-Schools Impact to date
Stories from students and teachers in schools and results from in-house impact studies indicate that it’s possible to cost-effectively and sustainably transform the education and future of the children in schools. With our program interventions, we have been able to increase the students’ skill sets, exposure to technology, confidence in their abilities and passion for STEM learning.
8
Schools involved in the Program
5
SinS – Integrated Schools
1780+
Students trained & transformed
64%
Female students skilled
58%
1st time computer users
12
Schools’ teachers worked with
Join us today and help us make a difference in the lives of millions of students across Africa. Together, we can create a pathway to enabling digital literacy in Africa.