UNESCO in partnership with the Government of Rwanda, Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), Ministry of ICT & Innovation (MINICT), Rwanda National Commission for UNESCO (CNRU), Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), Rwanda TVET Board (RTB), The Creativity Lab and the Forum for African Women Educationalists - FAWE Girls School organized a Youth STEM bootcamp from 28th February to 4th March 2022 for selected schools in Rwanda. About 150 students coming from 20 schools participated in the bootcamp. The main objective of the training workshop was to expose trainers to different instructional strategies using latest advanced technologies such as AI and robotics as well as micro-science kits, which have been minimally exploited in educational contexts in Africa.
The practical approach to experiencing science using microscience kits is part of UNESCO Global Microscience Experiments Project that gives primary and secondary school pupils as well as university students the opportunity to conduct practical work in physics, mathematics, chemistry and biology, using kits with a teaching manual illustrating the different experiences. Key personalities who graced the bootcamp included Mr. Albert Mutesa, Secretary-General, Rwanda National Commission for UNESCO; Prof. Hubert Gijzen, UNESCO Regional Director for Eastern Africa; Hon. Gaspard Twagirayezu, Minister of State in Charge of Primary and Secondary Education and H.E Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) of the UN. Interacting with the students, the DSG applauded their interest in their project work and she encouraged the girls to pursue STEM courses to improve their participation and leadership in science.
