RAIL KNUST Trains Girls at the 5th WiSTEM Gh. Girls’ Camp 2024

The 5th Women in STEM (WiSTEM) Ghana Girls’ Camp was organised to promote and accelerate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education among young girls. The camp, spanning five days, brought together female students from 30 Senior High Schools across the Ashanti and Western North Region to foster collaboration, innovation, and skill-building in STEM fields.

Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson, Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, officially launched the event, underscoring the rising significance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in today’s world, especially for a youthful nation like Ghana. In her remarks, she highlighted the persistent gender biases and stereotypes that prevent girls from actively pursuing STEM subjects at both the Senior High School and university levels.

“STEM is for everyone, whether boys or girls,” Prof. Dickson affirmed, urging stakeholders to support and encourage young girls to realise their full potential in STEM-related fields. She called on the participants to fully embrace STEM, not only for personal advancement but also as a means of contributing to national development. Prof. Dickson emphasised the need for collective investment in girls’ education, stating that these young women are the future, and their contributions are invaluable to the advancement of STEM.

The Responsible Artificial Intelligence Lab (RAIL) at KNUST introduced participants to AI and its applications, focusing on integrating AI into practical, real-world problem-solving. Prof. Francis Kemausuor, AI in Energy Theme Lead at RAIL, presented the role of AI in transforming sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and energy. He stressed the importance of inclusive AI and the need for more women to participate actively in AI development. “AI is not just a tool for the future; it is already transforming industries today. As young women, you can harness AI’s potential to contribute to society significantly,” he said. His presentation highlighted the importance of AI in robotics and healthcare diagnostics, sparking curiosity and interest among the students.

As part of its sponsorship, RAIL played a pivotal role in equipping participants with practical knowledge in AI and programming. The RAIL team facilitated training sessions where six participating groups were introduced to the basics of programming, with each group being assigned a project to work on under the guidance of their mentors.

Five teams used the Arduino programming platform and Arduino boards for hardware programming. Additionally, participants used TinkerCAD to design schematic diagrams, illustrating the different components and connections involved in their projects. This hands-on approach allowed the girls to apply their programming knowledge and tangibly expand their technical skills.

To ensure that participants were well-prepared, RAIL provided the necessary tools and equipment and coached the girls on organising their presentations to achieve the best delivery during their pitches.

During the camp, the teams presented their projects before a panel of judges from diverse disciplines, demonstrating the real-world applications of their acquired skills. The collaborative effort between the participants, mentors, and RAIL ensured that each team had the resources and guidance to bring their ideas to life. The judges evaluated the presentations based on innovation, execution, and the impact of the projects.

Dr Mrs Eunice Akyereko Adjei, Women in Technology Lead at RAIL, said RAIL’s sponsorship and engagement at the camp reinforces its commitment to promoting responsible AI education, ensuring that more women are equipped with the skills and knowledge to succeed in AI and related fields.

The event featured a video presentation showcasing WiSTEM’s journey since its inception in 2018. The presentation highlighted past participants’ remarkable achievements, the program’s growth, and inspiring stories of women making significant strides in STEM. The video was a motivational tool for the current participants, encouraging them to aspire to even greater heights. The event also provided participants with opportunities to network with industry professionals, build their skills, and explore various career paths in STEM.