Tanzanian Students Shine in STEM Innovation Competition
Dar es Salaam has become a focal point for innovation as students from three secondary schools recently garnered attention for their groundbreaking projects, including a prototype rescue robot, a low-cost cooling fan designed for low-income households, and an excavator specifically engineered to reach disaster sites inaccessible to emergency responders. Their achievements stem from their success in a national science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) competition.
Pathway to the African STEM Competition
The remarkable work of girls from Kibasira, Jangwani, and Charambe Secondary Schools has earned Tanzania a place in the prestigious African STEM competition, organized by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). This opportunity is made possible through the Youth Exchange South to South (YESS) programme, where these young innovators will now face off against peers from across the continent.
A Collaborative Effort by Schools
The winners were selected after a rigorous months-long program facilitated by the Tanzania Girl Guides Association (TGGA), which saw participation from students at ten primary and secondary schools in Ilala and Temeke cities. The comprehensive initiative aimed to foster innovative thinking and technical prowess among the youth.
Empowering Girls through Practical Skills
Valentina Gonza, Program Director at TGGA, emphasized that the competition aimed to show that girls can excel in practical skills when given the proper resources and support. She noted, “We wanted the girls to go beyond classroom learning and identify problems within their communities before developing practical solutions. Today’s results demonstrate their potential for innovation when adequately supported.”
Secondary School Projects Steal the Spotlight
While both elementary and middle school students participated, judges determined that secondary school projects exhibited greater technical sophistication and innovation. Gonza highlighted, “We had anticipated winners from various educational levels, but the secondary school participants truly showcased stronger projects that effectively applied skills learned during training.”
Fostering Confidence in Young Innovators
According to Iris Irakoze, a volunteer with the YESS Girls Movement, the program has been instrumental in building girls’ confidence in science and technology fields. “Initiatives like this empower girls to explore their ideas without fear. We want them to recognize their potential as scientists, engineers, and innovators who can address community challenges,” she said. Irakoze believes this encouragement enables girls to visualize careers they may not have previously considered possible.
Broader Social Change and Inspiration
Agiku Rachel, another volunteer from Uganda, urged the students to appreciate their education and their supporters, stressing that the opportunities they receive today could have lasting impacts on their futures. She remarked, “You could grow into a young leader poised to change the world. Today, women are leading organizations and participating actively in politics. Girls must know they can also attain such leadership roles.”
Challenging Stereotypes in STEM Fields
For many of the students, the competition transcended the prospect of winning a trophy. It represented a chance to challenge the longstanding stereotypes hindering female students from pursuing careers in engineering, technology, and the sciences. Princess Jasmine, a Form 4 student at Janwani Secondary School, affirmed that science and technology have unveiled new prospects for girls. She stated, “Girls possess a wealth of creative ideas that can advance technological development, and programs like this inspire us to translate those ideas into practical solutions.”
Another participant from Shalambu Secondary School expressed newfound confidence, reinforcing the belief that gender should not dictate career aspirations. “We learned that girls can become engineers, doctors, and scientists as long as they are determined and believe in themselves. We encourage more girls to join STEM fields because they too have the capability to innovate,” she concluded.
