STEAM LEADERSHIP

Only 32% of girls in Uganda will enrol in secondary school, only 12% will make it to upper secondary (High School), and less than 2% will passsecondary level qualifications in Science subjects. However, 75% of Government scholarships for higher education go to science courses and the fastest growing sectors across Africa are within STEM areas. Girls are missing out on education opportunities that lead to higher paid professions in the STEM sector. The disadvantage for girls starts early and lasts a lifetime. Vulnerable girls face significant barriers to pursuing STEM careers these

include gender stereotyping in both education and work, a higher burden of caring responsibilities, poor quality teaching, and lack of opportunities to build STEM skills. Girls are therefore disadvantaged throughout their lives in both income and career opportunities. Our program works with girls as they are always put in a place of less advantaged to help them overcome these barriers. By providing a two year round program we can offer the ongoing support and guidance that girls need to help them stay in school and keep pace with learning in the Science subjects. Our vacation programming gives girls the opportunity to build their STEAM skills in a range of both academic and vocational areas, thus giving them a head start. Our focus on developing the whole child, and our approach of giving girls the opportunity to become and feel competent across a broad set of skills; academic, vocational, communication, and leadership, builds a deep level of self confidence that will equip girls with the resilience needed to overcome the ongoing challenges and burdens they will inevitably face.