Innovate Ghana: Nurturing youth to solve development challenges with STEM
Using contemporary technology to solve development
challenges locally, that is at the heart of Innovate Ghana, a group that
believes that young Ghanaians with the needed support can contribute
more to tackle everyday challenges.
Innovate Ghana, seeks to leverage on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as key areas of study in this regard.
Central to their activities are students in Ghana’s Senior High
Schools and across its tertiary institutions. But that support it turns
out is wrapped in a contest for the students.
According to its Facebook page: “Innovate Ghana is an annual design
competition, where Ghanaian students can apply their existing knowledge
to development problems of today.”
The Innovate Ghana challenge started in 2013 and is in its fifth
year. The 2016 edition was the first time High School students
participated. Students pooled from a number of high schools across Ghana
focused on solutions for community development – keeping in mind the
three principles of IDEATE – CREATE – DEVELOP.
“Concepts included programs for senior citizens, literacy, health
products, energy, and others Farm Tools Challenge Concepts included on 4
key products to drive agricultural innovation – irrigation, solar
drying, seed planters and urban farms using soiless media,” the outfit
noted in a release.
The 2018 edition which takes place in July – August remains with the
High Schools. It is dubbed: Innovate Ghana High School Challenge (IGHSC)!!
Here is what it involves:
IGHSC is a youth designed, youth driven
and youth-centered camp that brings together brilliant students from
across Ghana for a 2 week Innovation Camp!
These students apply with amazing ideas directed at solving a
particular problem within their communities using Science Technology
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Peer mentors are a crucial part of the program as they not only
design this year’s program, but also facilitate community building
during the summer camp!
IGHSC has used the services of volunteer
mentors to help the work of technical supervisors. Innovate Ghana has
also employed extra-curricular engagements in guiding students. Aside
the mentorship, participants are tasked to undertake volunteering
assignments along with field trips.
Some successes Innovate Ghana boasts of are that: 130+ students have
been equipped with skills in design, manufacturing and business. Seven
students have been placed in employment opportunities and there are a
total of 35 innovative ideas of which two solutions are currently being
developed.
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