STRATEGIC PLAN FOR WOMEN SPACE AND STEM EDUCATION IN GHANA.
- Paper number
IAC-19,E1,IP,22,x54814
- Author
Mr. Ernest Teye Matey, Ghana
- Year
2019
- Abstract
In Ghana, not much was yet embraced about Space Science and Satellite Technology until the All Nations University-Space Systems and Technology Laboratory (ANU-SSTL)designed the first Ghana satellite launched into space on 7th July 2017. After this achievement, the GhanaSat-1 team through my coordination started a special space outreach program so as to use the knowledge gained in the field to educate the society. The purpose of the outreach program was to make Space Technology attractive to young students and especially young girls. This is done by incorporating Space education into the generic Science Technology Engineering Mathematics and Innovations (STEMI)education. Before GhanaSat-1 launch , in 2013, the outreach activities covered visitation to some senior high schools with demonstrative projects like the CANSAT, and also the introduction of the Space Science and Technology Club. In 2014, the activities continued with the organization of the World Space Week which included the first inter-high schools space science quiz competition in Ghana. From 2015, we included STEMI project demonstration as part of our Space Science Technology Application annual conference. The 2016 activities included workshops and we recorded a higher number of participants in the World Space Week compared to the previous year. The 2017 activity was focused on empowering young women for STEMI. The 2017 World Space Week successfully recorded the highest participation ever in Ghana associated with National Television coverage of the program. Our outreach activities have successfully reached more than 30 different schools through satellite product exhibitions, presentations or workshops making contact with 3 regions in Ghana. This includes both the junior, senior high and tertiary institutions in Ghana. These activities are gradually getting a national attention, since it is significantly contributing to primary and secondary education in the country. We also aim at achieving active participation of young women, age group diversity and multi-nationality involvement in our programs. With the quest to become more productive, a more dynamic approach is being adopted to make it more attractive especially to the young girls. This presentation captures some of our past activities, current projects and our strategic plan and the roadmap to enhance our space outreach activities. Keywords: STEMI, Education, Women, Diversity, Ghana, and High School.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
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