The Secretary’s Office of Global Partnerships (S/GP) at the US State Department has partnered Girl Up, Intel, Microsoft and the Rwandan Girls Initiative to launch a girls STEAM camp in Rwanda next year.
The partnership, with the support of the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI), is hosting the camp in order to advance and expand opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to young African girls.
The “Women in Science and Innovation” camp will take place in the summer of 2015 in Rwanda and will promote the advancement of women and girls in STEM education and STEM careers.
“STEAM” is derived from the traditional STEM acronym while additionally incorporating the fields of Art and Design for creative and innovative engagement.
“The goal of this new partnership is to empower young women with the knowledge and skillset to be competitive during a time of rapid technological development, by providing them with access to high-tech resources, like-minded peers, business connections, and inspiring mentors,” the State Department said.
The camp will bring together over 100 African and American girls for a three-week session on computer science, robotics, entrepreneurship and design, taught in highly personalised small classes.
The participants will partake in cultural exchanges, receive specialised training in STEM fields, and build leadership and entrepreneurial skills. The camp will also have a mentorship component to assist participants in obtaining internships and securing scholarships for college.
