Edoovillage #2545 - Ghana, Accra: SCEF Street Children Empowerment Foundation

Introduction:
The Street Children Empowerment Foundation (SCEF) is proposing a project called "STEAM Education for Street Children in Ghana," which aims to turn its Learning Hub into a Science,
Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) center for street children in Ghana.
The project's objectives include increasing technical capacity, creativity, problem-solving abilities, self-efficacy, and research skills among street children. To achieve these objectives,
SCEF plans to introduce STEAM projects that require the use of technology and organize workshops in each STEAM area, such as science, technology, engineering, arts, and
mathematics.
Rationale / Context:
STEAM education is crucial for the future success of Ghana's children, especially those living and working on the streets. The government should focus on the "STEAM-ification" of the
education system to equip Ghanaian youth with the knowledge and skills they need to solve the country's problems, such as poor infrastructure and healthcare shortages. SCEF has
observed that street-connected children in Ghana are interested in STEAM and wants to provide them with opportunities to develop their skills.
As part of SCEF's recent project, we are focused on supporting the transitioning and mentoring of youth from Senior High Schools into either getting jobs, scholarship applications, tertiary/technical education, etc. We also aim to promote Grassroots Enterprise Development by equipping our beneficiaries with the necessary skills and tools to start their
own businesses or become self-employed. SCEF needs to provide laptops to our beneficiaries to access online resources, apply for jobs, scholarships, and online courses, and
start their own businesses. However, our beneficiaries lack the necessary resources to access laptops. This is particularly challenging for our university students who require laptops to
access course materials and resources, as well as complete and submit their assignments on time. The inability of some of our students to submit their assignments on time has become
a major concern for SCEF. Additionally, some of their students studying Web Development, Programming, and Robotics are unable to practice their front-end skills, which has resulted
in a lack of confidence in their abilities.
Objectives:
The project aims to:
1.2.3.Increase technical capacity in areas such as coding, computer-aided design (CAD), 3D printing, mechatronics, and robotics.
Expose street children to challenges that increase their creativity and problem-solving abilities.
Build self-efficacy and research skills among street children.
Methodology:
The proposed activities include:
Supporting the transitioning and mentoring of youth from Senior High Schools into either getting jobs, scholarship applications, tertiary/technical education, etc.
We also aim to promote Grassroots Enterprise Development by equipping our beneficiaries with the necessary skills and tools to start their own businesses or
become self-employed.
Getting them to support with introducing projects that require the use of technology, such as the PenPal Project.
Organizing workshops for each STEAM area:
o Science: conducting experiments to get children interested in physics and chemistry, introducing coding concepts, organizing a solar eclipse viewing party, conducting hands-on experiments, and organizing science fairs.
Request:
Technology: teaching children how to use various applications such as Office and Graphic Design Software, how to access the Internet safely, and
how to use the Internet for school.
Engineering: organizing workshops on robotics, 3D printing, and other related topics.
Arts: teaching children about different meaningful artists, organizing music workshops, teaching children how to write texts (poetry, essays, stories), and teaching about shapes and symmetry.
Mathematics: showing children where math can be used in real life, organizing "corner math" activities, and celebrating Pi Day to teach children about Pi.
The total request for laptops is for mentoring and transitioning students, experiments, and equipment for workshops.
Conclusion:
SCEF believes that providing street children in Ghana with STEAM education is crucial for their future success and for the development of Ghana as a whole. The proposed activities
aim to increase technical capacity, creativity, problem-solving abilities, self-efficacy, and research skills among street children. Therefore, providing STEAM education to street
children in Ghana will not only equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to compete in a rapidly changing world but will also provide them with access to technology and
resources that they may not have had otherwise. It will also help address the problems facing Ghana, such as poor infrastructure and healthcare shortages, through the development of a
skilled workforce.
https://scef-international.org/