Students in Uganda have a strained relationship with STEM because of the way they were taught and their misconceptions surrounding STEM professions. This relationship has led to students preferring non-science studies and professions, which has hindered their ability to tackle community-based problems. It has been found that interactive STEM programs, such as PuzzzleMaker, grab students’ attention and make them interested in STEM-related careers.
The IEEE Innovative Stem Program will provide opportunities for Ugandan children to engage in hands-on STEM activities, therefore increasing their interest in the topic. The children will engage in eight pieces of training, which will take place in four different regions, to teach students in both underprivileged and privileged schools.
These workshops will influence their intellectual growth, ability to make educated decisions, and more. The skills learned throughout the 6-month program will prepare young students for real-world applications. Scratch is one program that will be utilized which will teach students how to program their own games and animations.
IEEE student members from various branches such as Kyambogo University, Makerere University, and Mbarara University will be involved as well.
EPICS in IEEE has donated $9,850 to implement this program in Uganda. The hope is that the young Ugandan students will find a newfound interest in the world of STEM through these hands-on activities.