The Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH) celebrated the International Day of the Girl Child on Thursday, 17th October 2024, at St. Stephen’s R/C School in Darkuman, Accra. The event brought together 100 girls from Upper Primary and Junior High School (JHS) to engage in activities aimed at inspiring and empowering them under the theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future.” The program featured a dual-session approach that introduced students to coding while also providing mentorship on the importance of perseverance, curiosity, and embracing STEM education.
The International Day of the Girl Child
Celebrated annually on 11th October, the International Day of the Girl Child highlights the challenges girls face globally and advocates for their empowerment and rights. It serves as a platform to amplify their voices and bring attention to critical issues like education, gender equality, and access to technology. This year’s theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” reflects the need to inspire and equip girls with the tools to envision and achieve their dreams, particularly in fields like STEM.
Opening Session and Welcome Remarks
The event kicked off with opening remarks from Samuel Addo, Head of IT at St. Stephen’s R/C School. He highlighted the purpose of the gathering, emphasizing the importance of encouraging girls to explore STEM fields and introduced the IIPGH team. Deborah Ofori-Dartey, the Digital Skills Training Supervisor of IIPGH, followed with an overview of the Institute’s mission and its extensive coding engagements aimed at fostering digital literacy among young students.
Coding and Technology Demonstration
The first session was dedicated to coding and began with a lively discussion where students shared their own definitions of coding. Guided by IIPGH facilitators, the girls were taken through a hands-on session in which they developed an animation using Scratch and a simple demonstration of remote lights switching with Internet of Things. This activity was tailored to inspire their interest in STEM and demonstrate the power of creativity in coding.
A significant highlight of this session was the demonstration of a 3D printer. For many students, seeing a 3D printer in action was a first-time experience. They watched in amazement as the printer produced tangible objects, turning digital models into physical items they could touch and feel. To encourage engagement, some of these 3D-printed objects were distributed among the students, sparking further interest and curiosity.
Inspiring Mentorship Session
Simultaneously, a mentorship session was conducted by Christabel Boccorh, Head of Girl Child Education at the IIPGH Women’s Wing, and Gifty Mottey, Director of Administration at IIPGH. The session started with an open question to the students: “What motivated you to come to school today despite the rain?” The answers varied, ranging from the desire to learn to simply enjoying school. This question set the tone for a deeper conversation about aspirations, where students shared their future goals, mentioning professions such as doctors, nurses, and lawyers—notably absent were careers in engineering or technology.
Christabel and Gifty took the opportunity to challenge these traditional career expectations and encouraged the girls to consider STEM fields. They shared powerful stories of their own journeys, highlighting the importance of perseverance and embracing challenges. Christabel recounted her experience as a high school science student who pursued Electrical and Electronics Engineering, emphasizing that failure is part of the learning process, and that resilience is key to success.
Addressing Curiosity and Breaking Myths
The mentors engaged the girls by addressing their questions about how technology works. The students’ curiosity led to discussions on various topics, including how mobile phones and the Meta AI on WhatsApp operate, and the mechanics behind the internet. Christabel and Gifty explained these concepts in simple terms, making the technology relatable and accessible.
The mentors also shared the far-reaching benefits of STEM education, including its social, personal, and economic advantages. They urged the students to believe in their capabilities and reassured them that STEM is not exclusive to boys. Emphasizing the potential for digital skills to enhance any chosen career path, they highlighted how incorporating technology can amplify impact and financial rewards. This session was particularly powerful in challenging preconceived notions and inspiring the girls to pursue their dreams with determination and curiosity.
Closing with an Impactful Demonstration
At the end of the formal sessions, the ICT teacher at St. Stephen’s R/C School requested that all JHS students from grades 1 to 3 be brought in to view the 3D printer demonstration. He noted that while the theoretical aspects of 3D printing had been covered in their lessons, seeing the machine in action was a novel experience for the students. The awe on their faces as they watched the printer bring everyday objects to life underscored the power of practical learning. This demonstration reinforced the idea that technology is not just theoretical but something tangible and achievable.
Feedback from Participants
Feedback from the students and teachers was overwhelmingly positive. In interviews conducted after the sessions, many participants expressed their newfound understanding that STEM is not reserved for boys alone and that they, too, could excel in these fields. The girls spoke about how they had learned the importance of perseverance and overcoming fear in pursuit of their dreams. They also noted the realization that regardless of their chosen career paths, having digital skills would be essential to excel.
The gratitude expressed by both students and their coordinators was heartwarming, highlighting the significant impact the event had on their outlook toward STEM. The mentorship, coupled with hands-on coding and technology demonstrations, provided a holistic approach to inspire confidence and ambition among the participants.
Conclusion
The International Day of the Girl Child 2024 at St. Stephen’s R/C School was a resounding success. The combined efforts of the IIPGH STEM Educators and mentors provided the students with both practical and motivational insights into the world of STEM. By showcasing the potential of creative learning and fostering a supportive environment, the event has set the stage for these young girls to envision a future where they can thrive in STEM fields and beyond.
For more information or to support similar events, please email IIPGH on info@iipgh.org or call 0541001965.
The Institute of ICT Professionals, Ghana (IIPGH) is a professional association made up of professionals in various domains of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) practice. Some services offered include Digital Skills Education, ICT Consultancy and Solutions for Business, Curriculum Reviews for Educational Institutions, IT Human Resource Provision, among others.
Visit our website – https://iipgh.org/ to learn more.
Author: Deborah Ofori-Dartey
The writer is the Digital Skills Training Supervisor at the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana with about 5 years of experience engaging children ages 6 years – 15 years in Creative Coding Experiences.
For comments, contact deborah.dartey@iipgh.org or info@iipgh.org.
