Strengthening Our Partnership with STEM Student Based Organizations (SBOs): West Africa

For more than one year, InsightSTEM has worked to achieve better results for students and youth in West Africa, Our core values are to demoncratise STEM knowledge through exploration, creating a world where all minds are critically thinking, STEM literate and global learners. As a natural outgrowth of our work, we have created and continue to nurture diverse network across the region.

West Africa is currently characterized by a rapidly growing youthful population experiencing rapid social- economic, scientific and technological development. InsightSTEM cannot do it alone in West Africa, thus, strengthening our partnerships with all STEM organizations is essential to us. With this, we can have more impacts by providing STEM knowledge through exploration across all regions of West Africa.

Networking Evening: Biological Sciences  Student Association (BIOSSA), University of Liberia

On March 18, 2017 at 6:00pm,   InsightSTEM had an exciting event; a dinner night with the Biological Sciences   Student Association (BIOSSA), University of Liberia in the Tubman Hall at the Capitol Hill Campus of the University of Liberia, ,  with some of its Local Impact Committee Liberia members as well as Kinder STEM West Africa Missions Director, Mr. Johnason L. David and West Africa Coordinator, Mr. Simmie S. Nyanfor, Jr. were present. Interestingly, InsightSTEM Liberia LIC Chairperson, Mr. Chalaty A. Young, also serves as the President of the Biological Sciences Students Association at the University of Liberia.

At this event, Campus Ambassador and Local Impact Committee, Christian Weah   gave a brief presentation about IstightSTEM. He also presented on programs and projects undertaken by InsightSTEM and some good works coming up  by the organization. He encouraged STEM teachers, professionals, and students to become members of InsightSTEM by joining the Liberia Local   Impact Committee in order to help explore STEM greatly in Liberia.

Moreover, some Young STEM Professionals of InsightSTEM were given various awards as Honorees. These include: Francis Maweah, Jr. (Academic Excellence Award), Perry Z. Newray (Distinct Leadership Award), and our Student Representative Varfee A. Siryon also receiving Distinct Leadership Award.

World Pi Day

March 23, 2017, was another unique program; the World Pi Day organized by Liberian Community Association of Connecticut Scholars (LCAC - Scholars) that was well attended by InsightSTEM Liberia Local Impact officials led by its Chairperson, Mr. Chalaty A. Young, and also Kinder STEM West Africa Missions Director, Mr. Johnason L. David and West Africa Coordinator, Mr. Simmie S. Nyanfor, Jr.

Some members of the InsightSTEM West Africa crew at
the World Pi Day Celebration - Liberia

Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th (3/14) around the world. Pi  is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant — the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter — which is approximately 3.14159.

Pi has been calculated to over one trillion digits beyond its decimal point. As an irrational and transcendental number, it will continue infinitely without repetition or pattern. While only a handful of digits are needed for typical calculations, Pi’s infinite nature makes it a fun challenge to memorize, and to computationally calculate more and more digits.

Cross section of students at the Pi Day celebration held at the Firestone Field House, Harbel, Margibi County, Liberia

Chalaty A. Young, LIC Liberia Chair
presenting to the audience

Our Local Impact Liberia Chair, Chalaty A. Young talked more of InsightSTEM to the audience and he provided opportunity for students and teachers that were willing to become members of the organization by writing down basic information about themselves. He also served as judge of the Pi recitation and quizzing competition.

Jallah Sumo, HSS Representative
helping students join
InsightSTEM HSS program

Mr. Jallah Sumo, High School Scholars Program representative, Liberia Local Impact Committee engaged the students on the importance of the HSS program and how it is beneficial to the growth of them as a students and the provision of smooth transition and readiness to take on STEM careers after high school. He also emphasized on the hands on opportunities to partake in InsightSTEM programs and projects to enhance their research and outreach skills. 

Mr. Brillaince Karwee, STEM Exploration Technology Team Lead, Liberia Local Impact Committee, explained to the students about the low cost exploration technologies InsightSTEM provides to enhance their STEM knowledge through exploration. In addition, Campus Ambassador Fredrick Dukuly make presentation on the importance of Pi as it relates to STEM Education as well as Darcess Dossen encouraging students to take on STEM careers.

More high-schools scholars and teachers were encouraged to become members of InsightSTEM High School Scholars Program because of their passion for STEM which they would love to explore greatly in Liberia.

Cross section of the students at the event

The program was successful and ended with students interacting with officials of InsightSTEM to know more about the organization.

You can support our programs and projects in West Africa by donating here: http://give.classy.org/WestAfrica

--- Romell Dede
InsightSTEM LIC Liberia Communications Officer

Celebrating the launch of the New STEM Career Voyage: 185th Anniversary of Darwin’s launch on the HMS Beagle Expedition

On December 27, 2016 at 6:00pm, InsightSTEM West Africa, Impact Liberia held a ceremony in Recognition of Graduation and the celebration of the launch of a New STEM Career Voyage for seven of our Campus Ambassadors that graduated from the University of Liberia in commemoration of the 185^th Anniversary of Darwin’s launch on the HMS Beagle Expedition. 



On December 27, 1831, Charles Darwin went on board HMS Beagle in Devon port (Plymouth). For five years, the naturalist traveled around the world in the 90-foot - (27.4 meter-) long and 24 - foot (7.4 - meter-) wide three-mast ship. On October 2, 1836, the ship reached English shores again.

Originally, the Beagle had served the Royal Navy as a survey ship. However, it became famous through the expedition with Charles Darwin. The exotic animal world of Australia fascinated Charles Darwin and baffled him: "Anyone who has faith in his own reasoning is sure to cry out: 'Surely there have been two creators at work here - one for Australia and one for the rest of the world."

In summer 1833, Darwin came across rheas that looked very different from each other and asked himself why the Almighty has created two such closely related species, whose environments hardly differed. In his work The Zoology of the Voyage of HMS Beagle Darwin described every single species of animal that he studied, such as the vampire bats.

The program was intended to recognize those campus ambassadors that graduated from the University of Liberia as they start their new STEM career voyage as the same day marks the 185th anniversary of  Charles Darwin's launch on the HMS Beagle Expedition . The ceremony was gracefully attended by Theresa Jolokleh (Representative, Ministry of Education), Araminta Nyekan and Leeneh Kiamu (Representative, Liberia Institute for the Promotion of Academic Excellence), Darlington Fiajue (Executive Director, Save the Future Foundation International, Liberia), and representatives from Save the Children-Liberia, Liberia Association of Female Engineers, IBIS, University of Liberia, Stella Maris Polytechnic, United Methodist University, amongst others. In addition, the InsightSTEM West Africa Coordinator, KinderSTEM West Africa Director and all of the executive members of the Local Impact Committee – Liberia, the graduates along with friends, and affiliates.

Salia Sheriff, Co-Chairman of the Liberia Local Impact Committeem- Liberia and the Masters of Ceremony, spoke on the overview of the program, explaining the importance of the program and how much it means to InsightSTEM. He also explained the importance of InsightSTEM's Young STEM Professional Program. 

Theresa Jolokleh, served as the Guest Speaker of the unique program. She spoke on the importance of STEM Education and urged the graduates to keep focus and continue their STEM career in order to improve the STEM areas of our beloved country and the universe at large, motivating them to follow their dreams and aspirations. After her deliberations, she presented certificates of recognition and ushered them in their new STEM professions. Afterward, everyone celebrated with their certificates and the program was concluded.

Meet our graduates from the University of Liberia

From left: Jarka Nicolas, Perry Newray, Momo Kanneh, Maximus Fahnbulleh, Varfee A. Siryon, Francis Maweah and Simmie S. Nyanfor, Jr.

BSc. Biology
University of Liberia

NICHOLAS JARKA

July 9, 2008, Nicholas Jarka graduated from Central Site High School with preeminence, receiving both his High School Diploma and WAEC Certificate, Cavalla Rubber Corporation School System. Two years after his graduation, he enrolled at the T. J. R. Faulkner College of Science and Technology, University of Liberia to study Biology major with minor in a Chemistry.

He made a significant impact at the college, serving as Teacher Assistant just before his graduation. On December 7, 2016, he earned his Bachelor of Science (BSc.) Degree in Biology from the University Of Liberia and subsequently passing the School Of Pharmacy Aptitude Test and Interview thus qualifying him as a student of that professional institution in that same year.

Nicholas Jarka is currently a first year student of the School of Pharmacy, University Of Liberia, studying for a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy. Being an astute student of the Natural Sciences and having a lot of zest for education and how to contribute to his nation, decided to join InsightSTEM on August 24, 2015. Since acquiring his membership in 2015, InsightSTEM has help him meet with other science students sharing similar aspirations and impacted his life in so many aspects. Nicholas Jarka is humbled to be a member of this Noble quest that has amalgamated Science scholars in order to enhance their dreams and aspirations in the sciences.

With the quality of information he has received from InsightSTEM, he has identified a very big gap in the Health sector of Liberia and decided to fill those gaps by doing a post-graduate degree in Pharmacotherapy and Psychiatry Pharmacy, as Liberia has only one Pharmacotherapist and no known Psychiatry Pharmacist. As a young man with much passion for education, he looks forward to obtaining a scholarship so as to further his education in the area of Pharmacy at any post-graduate.

Momo Kanneh
BSc. Biology
University of Liberia

MOMO KANNEH

Momo Kush Kanneh completed his primary and secondary education in 2009 obtaining High School Diploma and West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) Certificate from Len Miller High School.

Momo attended the University of Liberia in 2010 to study Biology as his Major with a Chemistry Minor. After six years of hard work and commitment, he graduated from the University of Liberia with a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) Degree in Biology on December 7, 2016.

Along the way, he earned certificates in Microsoft office Suite and Compt. A+ at the Consult IT Solution in 2009 and 2010 respectively. He also obtained a Diploma in Project Management from the Progressive Youth Ministry.

Momo Kush Kanneh is Children Superintendent at the Bethel Cathedral of Hope; present General Secretary for the Tweh Johnsonville Community Youth and Chaplain General for a not for profit Christian organization: the Progressive Youth Ministry. Momo wishes to become one of the world's renowned cardiologists with the help of InsightSTEM. He believes with such he can make vital contributions to the institution and the world at large.

BSc, Biology
University of Liberia

FRANCIS MAWEAH, JR

Francis Maweah Jr. graduated from St. Peters Lutheran High School as a honor student in 2011. He matriculated that same year, to the University of Liberia, majoring in Biology. Graduated from the University of Liberia with honor (Magna cum laude) in 2016. Currently studying general medicine at A.M. Dogliotti college of Medicine.

Academic achievements:

Academic excellence award, 2016-UL Scholar program

Academic honor award, 2016-college of science, UL

President honor society (PHS), UL 2012-2013

Deans honor scholar award, 2014-2015 UL

Best quizzer award, St Peters Lutheran-2011

Leadership:

Network officer- InsightSTEM LIC Liberia, 2016

Youth secretary, Lakpazee community-2016

Vice president, BIOSSA-UL, 2015-2016

Vice president and secretary, LUX in Tenebris scholar program UL 2014-2016

Captain, quizzing team, St. Peter Lutheran high school 2010-2011

Contributions to insightSTEM

The Head of a networking team that was instrumental in the recruitment of teachers, students, and campus ambassadors to participate in the teacher, high school scholar, and teacher partnership workshops.

How did insightSTEM contributed

Relationship building, networking with institutions, entrusting leadership role, opportunity to improve on media productivity skills, and participating in STEM workshops.

InsightSTEM contribution to his future ambition:

- Link him with experts such as medical doctors (cardiologists)

- Enable him to become a Young STEM Professional

- Scholarship recommendations

- Conduct medically related workshops

BSc. Biology
University of Liberia

SIMMIE S. NYANFOR, JR

Simmie S. Nyanfor, Jr. began his junior and senior secondary education at the SOS Hermann Gmeiner International School, Central Matadi, Sinkor. At the institution, Simmie demonstrated extreme leadership role and academic excellence. He held the Press Club, Quizzing and Debate Club, provide tutorials, and also served as Food Advisory Prefect and Assistant Prefect of the School. Simmie was always a Principal List Student and All time scholar. Upon his graduation on September 27, 2009, Simmie graduated as the Salutatorian of his class having 96.4 average. He was also awarded several certificates as being the best biology, chemistry and mathematics student.

After earning his High School Diploma and West African Examination Council Cerificate, Simmie enrolled at the International Institute of Computer Science and Man Power Development where he earned Diploma in Computer Science. 

Due to the passion of becoming a Medical Doctor, he enrolled at the T.J.R. Faulkner College of Science and Technology, University of Liberia, to major in Biology and minor in Chemistry. He graduated on December 7, 2016, with a BSc Degree in Biology and is waiting upon acceptance into the Graduate School.

Simmie joined InsightSTEM in February 2016 as a Campus Ambassador at the University of Liberia. In March 2016, Simmie was appointed West Africa Coordinator for InsightSTEM. Under his leadership, he held the first ever "West Africa Planning and Professional Development Week" facilitated by Dr. Jacob Noel-Storr (InsightSTEM President) and impacted over 150 students, teachers and Young STEM Professionals. He has held several other programs in Liberia and has expanded InsightSTEM to eleven (11) countries in Africa, leading a cadre of over 350 campus ambassadors, Young STEM Professionals and high school scholars.

Simmie is the founder and CEO of Innovision: a Science and Technology enterprise; as well as the founder and Executive Director of Youth for Better- Africa: a platform to identify, Support and Promote Potentials in fellow Young People, to promote self-development of Africa through higher vision. He served as a volunteer at SMART-Liberia, LIPACE and many other youth and educational-based organizations.

Simmie aims to transform Africa to a first-world continent by 2030, where every human has equal opportunity to maximize their potential. His interest is in development and sustainability, with a focus on STEM education and Health. He is passionate about widening his knowledge to create a world better for all.

BSc. Biology
University of Liberia

VARFEE A. SIRYON

Varfee A. Siryon obtained his junior and senior high school certificates and diploma from St. Mary Catholic High School. While there, he was known as being a member of the Legion Quizzing and Debate Team. During his graduation from the St Mary Catholic High School, he was one of the honored students and received a certificate of academic achievement in economics.

He then matriculated to the University of Liberia, where he studied with a Biology major and Chemistry minor. During his time at the University of Liberia, he worked in several student leadership capacities. He first served as the Academic Committee Chairman of the Biology Sciences Students’ Association-Students Initiative, where he was tasked with the responsibility of organizing academic activities such as tutorials for students facing difficulties with lessons, and biological sciences debates among students of the department. He later served as Chairman of the National Life Sciences Students Association of Liberia –University of Liberia chapter.

He became a member of InsightSTEM on March 12, 2016, where he assumed the role of Campus Ambassador Representative. Being a member of InsightSTEM has broadened his mind to the diversity of STEM career, which was never in his thoughts. InsightSTEM has had a tremendous impact on his career development, through career development workshops and STEM exploration networking. InsightSTEM has enhanced his mentor and mentee development skills, which are used to get young interested STEM scholars to reach their desired level.

BSc. Biology
University of Liberia

PERRY Z. NEWRAY

Perry Z. Newray Jr graduated from the Monrovia College Industrial Training School. During his days in the Monrovia College, he scooped numerous accolades and graduated with honor of his class.

After his graduation from high school, he matriculated to the University of Liberia, T.J.R Faulkner College of Science and Technology, where he studied with a Biology major and a Chemistry minor. During his days at the University of Liberia he served the Biological Sciences Student Association and served in many positions, such as Secretary General, Financial Secretary, and Coordinator of seven standing committees.

Perry Newray is a 2016 graduate of the University of Liberia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.

Traveling with InsightSTEM to Bali!

I woke up the morning of January 17th with my bags all packed and ready to go for a long trip across the world. Today was the start of a trip that would include enduring over 20 hours of flying in order to reach our destination in Ubud, Bali. I made sure to bring entertainment for the flights, to prepare as much as I could for being in the air for so long. I brought my iPad, laptop, phone with multiple portable chargers, and even a couple of Malaysia and Bali travel books to prepare for once we got there. I made sure I was prepared for anything on the flights, in order to make myself as comfortable and entertained as possible.

The Mountains covered in snow
flying into Denver

Our first flight left from Tucson at 9 a.m. Our destination was Denver, Colorado, and we happened to get upgraded to First Class!! This flight was only 2 hours, so it went very quick. The view from the plane once we got into Colorado was amazing, everything was white. The mountains were covered in snow; something rarely ever seen in Arizona. Once we landed in Denver, we awaited our next flight to Los Angeles, California, which was once again, a 2 hour flight. This flight went by quickly as well and by the time we landed in LA, it was 5 p.m. Fortunately for us, our next flight was the next day, so we got to have a break from flying... for now. Our next flight was scheduled to leave at 11 a.m. the next morning, to Tokyo, Japan.


I was really excited to go to Tokyo for I had never been anywhere close to there! I wasn't however, looking forward to the 12 hour plane ride that it took to get there. 12 hours of sitting in the same spot, in a plane 36,000 feet in the air, just did not appeal to me at all. I was nervous, but mostly I was just ready to get it over with. We would be landing in Tokyo at 3:45 p.m., and then leaving an hour and a half later on a flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This was going to be a 7 hour flight that landed us in Kuala Lumpur at Midnight. In an effort to not be jet lagged once we landed in Kuala Lumpur, my plan was to stay up for the entire duration of both flights so that once we landed in Kuala Lumpur, I would be ready to sleep.

Inside the plane

We boarded our flight Wednesday morning, and found our seats on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner that was going to take us across the Pacific Ocean to Tokyo. The plane was massive, and to my surprise, the seats were well spaced apart and quite comfortable! Every seat even had outlets, so that I could charge any of my electronic devices. Not only that, but on the back of every headrest, there was a screen that contained a library of different movies, TV shows, and music to choose from, and they were all free! The movie and TV choices were great too! They had tons of choices, ranging from classic movies, to newer movies that I wanted to watch, but never got the chance to. I was actually excited to get to watch these movies that they had. Not only that, but they even had WiFi available for purchase on the flight.

I stayed up the entire duration of the flight, thanks to having WiFi, watching movies and TV shows, and having in-flight meals. The WiFi was only $24 for the entire duration of the flight, which I used in order to stay in contact with my friends and family back home, constantly updating them about my flight. I watched The Martian, Star Trek: Beyond, and a few episodes of Game of Thrones to entertain myself. Before I knew it, we were already on our descent into Tokyo. The flight may have been long, but it flew by (no pun intended) and wasn't nearly as bad as I had thought it was going to be. I even found that I had enjoyed my flight, thanks to all of the on-board entertainment that they provided. This experience helped me to enjoy my travel more and be more optimistic for our next flight.

Our time in Japan was short, I wish we had more time because spending an hour and half in that airport went by so fast! There were so many people there and everything was so different. Seeing signs that weren't in English and all of the different souvenirs that you could buy were so cool to see! I wanted to buy so many things there, but unfortunately, we had another plane to catch and the line for the souvenir store was agonizingly long. We headed for our gate for our next flight to Kuala Lumpur.

Souvenir shop in Japan

This plane, while being the same exact model as our flight to Japan, had smaller seats on the inside. I found that it wasn't as roomy, but still manageable. It had all of the same amenities as our other flight, which I found very relieving. I managed to watch the movie Storks and Suicide Squad while on this flight, before I found myself waking up to the sound of the Captain announcing we were preparing to land in Kuala Lumpur. Another flight that quickly passed by; flights that I originally dreaded going on in the first place. Even though the flights were enjoyable, I was glad to be done flying for the time being, for our next flight was in two days time.

View of Kuala Lumpur
from the top of KL Tower

Kuala Lumpur was nothing like I had ever seen before. Everywhere you look, there were skyscrapers and trees. I had never seen so much green in person before, and if you are from where I come from, you would understand. Driving on the left side of the road was also a sight to see, after growing up in the United States, where all the driving is done on the right side and the steering wheel is located on the left side of the car. While I was in Kuala Lumpur, I got to see an aquarium, KL tower, the Petronas Towers, and the Batu Caves. Everything was spectacular, and like nothing I had ever seen before. My favorite was the Batu Caves, because it was just amazing to see. They had sacred statues and temples there, along with a giant cave that required climbing over 200 stairs! Not only that, but there were monkeys within a few feet of you nearly every step of the way... It was a sight to see and I am very glad to have had the chance to see it in person myself.

Batu Caves

Our next flight would be the last one for a while, to a place we planned on setting up headquarters for the next month. This flight was only 3 hours, in order to get to Ubud, Bali, the site of most of our STEM Exploration Expeditions. We got into Bali at 2 a.m., and had to take a taxi to our hotel, right next to the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud. I found that Bali is even more beautiful than Kuala Lumpur! All around you, there is something new to see. There are trees, wildlife, and sights to see everywhere! Just walking along the road in Ubud, there are monkeys walking around, climbing in the trees right next to you! You may even stumble upon ancient-looking ruins and temples right off of the main roads. The food is great and there isn't a lack of shopping or tourist attractions to see.

View from our Bungalow

Sacred Monkey Forest

Traveling to Bali, we had a total of 23 hours in the air, but it was definitely worth it! Looking back, it went by so quickly, I hardly even noticed it and as an added bonus, the flights were very affordable!! Now that I am here in Bali, I am so glad that I did it. I am so grateful at the opportunity that InsightSTEM has given me in order to become part of the team and have the chance to travel to such a unique and beautiful place. I hope to help others come out to Bali as well and meet with Jake and I, in order to expand their STEM knowledge through exploration as I am doing at this very moment. This opportunity could even be available to you! Take a look at our STEM Exploration Expeditions that we have available and see which one best fits you. And just maybe, I will see you soon, out here, gaining more STEM knowledge and experiencing the Balinese cultures right beside me. Come visit us and take this opportunity to better yourself and share your knowledge and experience with others. I hope to see you soon!!

-Isaiah Gurule
 Mission Coordinator of InsightSTEM

Developing New Partnerships in West Africa: LESSAT

On the 24th of June 2016 some InsightSTEM Campus Ambassadors along with the InsightSTEM West Africa Coordinator, West Africa Family, Community and KinderSTEM Director, and other InsightSTEM Local Impact Committee: Liberia Officials attended a networking dinner organized by our new partner Liberian Encouraging Student in Science and Technology (LESSAT).

The dinner was themed "Interactive Fundraising Dinner with Professionals". The funds raised will be used for projects LESSAT will undertake, in particular encouraging more Liberian women to pursue STEM careers.

During the dinner the InsightSTEM West Africa Coordinator, Mr. Simmie N. Nyanfor Jr., presented different STEM TED Talks to inspire young students to take up a career in STEM and also encourage those brave ones to stay in STEM fields. Also during the dinner we had our InsightSTEM Local Impact Committee: Liberia Chairman Mr. Chalaty A. Young tell the students sweet stories about InsightSTEM and all the good work that is coming up, he also extended an invitation for them to become Campus Ambassadors and join the LIC to make STEM exploration great in Liberia with their different ideas.

The dinner ended successfully with interactions among students and professionals. Many thanks to the organizers and our partner LESSAT for the planning.

You can support InsightSTEM's ongoing activities in West Africa at http://www.gofundme.com/InsightWestAfrica

-- Jatherlyn Manlay. Tellewoyan 
InsightSTEM LIC Liberia Logistics Officer

Back to School 2016: Mapping our Campus Ambassador Impact

Right now we have Campus Ambassadors at Universities in 23 countries around the world, and the number is constantly growing. We keep track of the campuses where our ambassadors (and the supporters of the program) are having an impact around the world in an active google map that is embedded below in this blog post... or you can visit http://bit.ly/ISCAmap to explore some more!

To support our Campus Ambassadors around the world, and help us to have impacts with our new programs for the 2016-2017 school year you can visit http://bit.ly/CAgive2016.

Professional Development and Planning in West Africa

11 Days in Liberia from Jake Noel-Storr on Vimeo.

To support our ongoing work in West Africa please visit http://www.gofundme.com/InsightWestAfrica

In May, InsightSTEM's President and CEO Dr. Jacob Noel-Storr made a trip to West Africa in keeping with InsightSTEM's mission – to democratize STEM knowledge through exploration. Dr. Jake Noel-Storr's trip covered a planning and professional development training of over 150 students, teachers and young STEM professionals on a train-the-trainer mode to make meaningful impact in and across West Africa.

The benefits of doing so are that students and teachers experience real-world problems in exploring STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields and the ever-changing workforce, sparking and supporting interest in pursuing STEM careers. Creating these impacts earlier in students' educational careers will serve to encourage even more students to enter these fields.

West Africa -- a prime region for impacts on STEM education, students, young STEM professionals and teachers -- showed the enthusiasm and commitment that they are ready to change the paradigm of STEM education.

On day 1 of the planning and development week the InsightSTEM West Africa Coordinator Simmie S. Nyanfor and the Liberia Local Impact Committee chair Chalaty A. Young met Dr Jake, followed by the InsightSTEM Local Impact Committee Liberia leadership on planning how Insight STEM can make more impact across Liberia and West Africa after the planning and development week.



The Planning and Professional Development week continued on day 2 with an occasion for over 60 students from 20 different high schools: encouraging the students to do STEM and to introduce InsightSTEM’s premiere program for High School Students called the ‘High School Scholars Program’ which offers networking opportunities and professional development for High School students.

On the same day, Dr. Jake hosted the first training to enable West Africa students and Young STEM Professionals to work with teachers in promoting the understanding of STEM knowledge through exploration; followed by a meeting for all Campus Ambassadors for updates and to present their campus ambassador certificates. Campus Ambassadors are a global network of college undergraduates and graduate students interested or invested in the future of STEM knowledge. This is a global network of students who self-connect and motivate to promote the InsightSTEM Message -- and there is a cadre of over 70 Campus Ambassadors in Liberia already furthering their own STEM careers and the careers of others of all ages.



Day 3 of the Planning and Professional Development week focused on working with families and communities and working with STEM exploration technologies for West Africa through two workshops. The workshops will enable students and young STEM professionals to deliver STEM exploration programs to families and communities, to promote further pursuit of STEM, and to enable students and young STEM professionals to adapt and provide STEM Exploration Technologies that work in the social, economic and infrastructure environment of West Africa. The momentum and enthusiasm for making impact was increasing day by day.



Dr. Jake had a 3 hours long STEM exploration training workshop for our Insightful Teachers on day 4 of the Planning and Professional development week and, followed up with a partnership workshop for our first 5 Teacher-STEM partnership pairings!! The teachers hope InsightSTEM can expand further, and train more educators across Liberia and West Africa, and hopefully partner with the National Teacher's Association of Liberia to make learning through exploration a reality in Liberian classrooms! The Insightful Teachers are a global network of teachers who are enthusiastic to reimagine STEM education through exploration.



Day 5 of planning in Liberia was focused on developing our first set of family programs to be offered in West Africa with the focus on "Environmental Exposure"; from the physics of sound, to the chemistry of air quality, to the biology of germs and the spread of disease, to the earth science of natural environmental hazards. The programs will be trialled starting in August or September of 2016!



After this week of planning and training, InsightSTEM President Dr. Jake Noel-Storr and West Africa Coordinator Simmie S. Nyanfor, Jr. were hosted on a radio show called ‘Better Tomorrow’ to discussed the future of STEM education in Liberia on Voice FM. This show was highly interactive where in a lot of Liberians called to commemorate InsightSTEM for their excellent work in Liberia and how we could better make impact across the nation.

In the last few days in Liberia we focused on meetings with the Local Impact Committee teams including Networking, Technology and Communications teams to plan for ongoing impacts for 2016!
 

We wrapped up the Planning and Professional development with some final meetings with InsightSTEM Grant writing and Fundraising Team; Events and Logistics Team; and the appointment of InsightSTEM new "Families, Communities, and KinderSTEM Mission Director for West Africa", Johnnason L. David, Jr.

Dr Jake left behind a fantastic and enthusiastic crew with InsightSTEM West Africa Coordinator Simmie S. Nyanfor Jr., Liberia Local Impact Committee Chair, Chalaty A. Young, and all of InsightSTEM Local Impact Committee members, Campus Ambassadors, Insightful Teachers, Young STEM Professionals, and High School Scholars across West Africa!

For more information on InsightSTEM in West Africa please email africa@insightstem.com or like our FaceBook Page.

Back to School 2016: Our Campus Ambassadors Worldwide

Recently we presented the latest updates about our Campus Ambassadors program at the national meeting of the American Astronomical Society. You can check out the poster below or here!

We are launching our Back to School campaign to support our ongoing Campus Ambassadors program... where you can have great impacts in providing professional development and education/outreach training and opportunities to the next generation of STEM professionals worldwide! To learn about how to support this program please visit http://bit.ly/CAgive2016 ... and check back here for continuing updates and information soon!

Our Campus Ambassadors Program Update

Campus Ambassadors: Background Information

Our Campus Ambassadors program exists to support the professional development of the next generation on STEM professionals -- current STEM undergraduate and graduate students -- and to provide them with multiple opportunities for career advancement, and to have local and lifelong impacts on STEM learning.

• The program is for any undergraduate or graduate students in STEM fields, or in other fields who wish to engage in STEM education and outreach
• Our focus is on developing professional and career skills alongside education and outreach skills: for now, and the future
• Support is given through online webinar series, in person programs, and learning expeditions through the year
• Opportunities to participate in a range of InsightSTEM projects and programs to have direct local impacts, and develop the skills and attitudes to have lifelong impacts on STEM education

Campus Ambassador: Current Status

Our Campus Ambassador program is rapidly expanding with almost 70 students enrolled in 5 countries worldwide, which is on track to expand to over 200 Campus Ambassadors by the end of 2016. See the graphics below for a quick overview of who our Campus Ambassadors are.

   

You can view the full live version of the Campus Ambassador map HERE.

Why support Campus Ambassadors?

Building a strong future generation of STEM professionals, who are also adept in sharing STEM knowledge with others, is essential for the advancement of increasingly technological global societies and economies. And this requires individual action on all of our parts. In a global economy we must support all those individuals that can make great contributions -- no matter what their backgrounds -- and not rely on self sufficiency of students to get themselves 'ahead of the game'.

.

Aging and bulging global populations mean that national and local support becomes directed away from Research and Development (see left) and into Healthcare, Energy and Commerce. This means less funds exist for Broader Impacts to enrich programs for our next generation of STEM professionals, and to enable them to have impacts on STEM education -- despite those aspects being essential for the future... spending becomes more directed to immediate rather than future needs. 

Current students have less certain futures as they graduate, so it is essential to provide strong transferable and professional skills to ensure career success beyond graduation. While employment rates remain high, at the time of graduation a far smaller fraction of students have secured employment or continuing study than was the case in the past (see left).

We also need the next generation to be able to support both Informal and Social learning beyond traditional classrooms as those education venues become increasingly important in an increasingly complex world.

Our Campus Ambassadors program is designed to support individuals both in their own career success, and the impacts they can have -- no matter what their background.  

How to get involved or give support...

There are many ways in which you can support the Campus Ambassadors program in a variety of different ways depending on your skills, knowledge, and means to offer support!

• NOMINATE potential new Campus Ambassadors for us to invite to join the program. Link for nominations is http://bit.ly/CAnominate
• FIND APPLICANTS interested in joining the Campus Ambassadors program and have them join the program. The link to apply is http://bit.ly/ISCAapp
• MENTOR Campus Ambassadors as a member of our Young STEM Professionals program. You can register as a Young STEM Professional at http://bit.ly/YSPapp
• SUPPORT the Campus Ambassador program with funding. Currently it costs us about $125/year for each Campus Ambassador to offer them our planned programs and services. Contribute via our Flash Campaign at http://bit.ly/CAgive2015

Please email ambassadors@insightstem.com with any questions that you may have about the program!

Thank you for your Interest and Support!

Join Amazon Student and Support InsightSTEM

An easy way for students to become "Surveyor Level" Donors of InsightSTEM!

If you are a student, another way that you can help us out is by following our ref feral link and joining Amazon Student (which gets you many of the benefits of Amazon Prime for free!). If you let us know at contact@insightstem.com that you used our link to sign up then we will send you out an InsightSTEM wrist band for becoming a "Surveyor" level contributor at no cost to you!!

Follow this Link to join now!!


Thanks for your support!