CEMASTEA Mentors Girls in STEM

By:  Ann Mumbi /Dennis Rasto 

Women scientists and educationists have called for increased sensitization on the importance of mentorship in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to girls at lower secondary school levels to raise the visibility of STEM subjects as a potential career trajectory.                                                

Industrial chemist Prof. Hellen Njeri Njenga observed that teachers need to complement existing STEM strategies in schools to enable girls to be reflective learners, able to accrue the desired outcomes, transition through STEM subjects and where possible transition into STEM related careers. Prof. Njeri was speaking at Mulango Girls High School in Kitui County during a mentorship program in STEM to mark the International Day for Women and Girls in Science. The program was organized by the Centre for Mathematics and Science Education in Africa (CEMASTEA).

Industrial Chemist Prof. Hellen Njeri delivers a talk on women and Science and Technology at Mulango Girls High School in Kitui County to mark the International Day for Women and Girls in Science. 

Prof. Njeri tasked Science teachers to complement existing STEM strategies in schools to enable girls to be reflective learners, able to accrue the desired outcomes, transition through STEM subjects and where possible transition into STEM related careers. Prof. Njeri indicated that leadership and mentorship programmes in STEM will  help girls  develop their critical thinking skills and collaborate in teamwork building which are the desired 21st century skills needed in the future STEM careers.  “Other strategies specific for motivating female learners and improving their self-perception include use of role models and vibrant career guidance,” said Prof.Njeri. While admitting that negative perception by girls towards technical subjects was a cause for concern, Prof.Njeri was optimistic the approach will pay off. The Chemist indicated that there is need to scale up interventions aimed at entrenching the interest in STEM-oriented subjects at the primary and secondary levels of learning and intensify strategies aimed at bridging the gender disparity in the enrolment and completion of STEM-related courses at the tertiary level.  

According to a recent report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), only 35 percent of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students in higher education globally are women. Prof.Njeri observed that this gaping gender gap is especially concerning against the background that STEM careers are considered the jobs of the future.

The UNESCO report titled “Cracking the Code: Girls’ and Women’s education in STEM” notes that a strong gender imbalance exists globally regarding women’s representation in STEM fields, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. According to Prof.Njeri, many students are not conversant with the vast array of careers and hobbies that exist in science. Additionally, many students, she added, do not believe they can perform well in science and carry the perception that it is too difficult, hence the need for collaborative efforts to debunk such beliefs.

The Coordinator of Special Programmes and Student learning at CEMASTEA Mrs. Beatrice Macharia noted that CEMASTEA is championing STEM by supporting education and mentorship programmes. Mrs. Macharia, a seasoned Mathematics trainer, noted that elimination of stereotypes and prejudices on the ‘masculinity’ of STEM would be a step in the right direction. 

The Coordinator of Special Programmes and Student learning at CEMASTEA Mrs. Beatrice Macharia motivates students at Mulango Girls High school to pursue careers in STEM during the International Day for Women and Girls in Science. 

The program, she observed, was an excellent example of a platform that showcases innovation and develops interests and talents in Stem. “STEM drives economic growth. We must redouble our efforts to boost the number of girls and women in STEM. By harnessing their skills and smart ideas, we will realize important progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a more peaceful, just and prosperous world,” she noted.         

Despite many gender-responsive policies at the national and institutional levels, Mrs. Macharia pointed out that women and girls are still under-represented in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Students who participated in the exercise hailed it as an eye opener in the sphere of STEM adding that they are inspired to pursue the STEM pathway as it promises an array of opportunities.

Students at Mulango Girls High School in Kitui County learn how to assemble and operate a robot during a STEM mentorship program organized by CEMASTEA to mark the International Day for Women and Girls in Science.

Students at Mulango Girls High School in Kitui County perform test Oxygen during a Chemistry practical session organized by the Centre for Mathematics and Science Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) to observe the international day for girls and women in Science. 

Mulango Girls High school students in Kitui County experiment a concept in physics  during a STEM mentorship program organized by CEMASTEA to mark the international day for girls and women in Science.The learners called for more mentorship programmes to spur girls and women into STEM.   

The Director of Education in Kitui County Dr.Khalif Hassan addressing students and teachers at Mulango Girls High School during STEM mentorship activities organized by CEMASTEA to mark the International Day for Women and Girls in Science. Dr. Khalif charged Science and Mathematics teachers to encourage more girls to take up STEM courses by entrenching role modeling and mentoring from primary to the university level.

Mulango Girls High School students study  a teaching and learning aid for Mathematics at a Mathematics booth at the school set up by CEMASTEA to mark this year`s International Day for Women and Girls in Science. The coordinator of Student Learning and Special Programs at CEMASTEA Mrs. Beatrice Macharia called on mathematics teachers to engage girls in a fun way to build their interest in the subject from an early age.

Kitui Central Sub county Education officer Mr.Jefferson Silu addressing students and teachers at Mulango Girls High School during STEM mentorship activities organized by CEMASTEA to mark the International Day for Women and Girls in Science. Mr. Silu reiterated the importance of  STEM mentorship programmes and urged  teachers to play a key role in encouraging girls in taking up science subjects in secondary school.