COUNTRIES: Namibia, United States
DURATION: 09/06/2016 - 10/30/2019
FUNDER: U.S. Department of State
CONTACT[email protected]

Program Description

The WiSci Girls STEAM Camp brought together girls from around the world and the U.S. to explore the STEAM fields and access mentorship opportunities and leadership training.

Women in Science (WiSci) Girls STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Design, and Mathematics) Camp was a private-public partnership (PPP) between the U.S. Department of State’s Secretary’s Office of Global Partnerships, UN Foundation’s Girl Up Initiative, Intel Corporation, and Google. In 2018, the camp brought together nearly 100 high school girls from the U.S., Kenya, eSwatini, Ethiopia, and Namibia.

During WiSci camp, participants engaged in an intensive STEAM curriculum administered by experts from partners such as Google, Intel, NASA, and American Society for Microbiology. WiSci campers focused on developing their leadership potential and exploring the use of technology to create a safer, more secure world. 

The camp also helped address the gender gap in STEAM fields by investing in girls’ education and providing participants with the encouragement, community, and confidence to pursue careers in those fields. 

Program Goals

  • Empowered adolescent girls from Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Equipped adolescent girls with skills and knowledge to succeed in STEAM fields.
  • Promoted cross-cultural communication and understanding.
  • Empowered adolescent girls to prevent and respond to issues related to violent extremism.
  • Created lasting relationships among participants with the business community.