Belize Skills for the Future Program, Promoting Participation of Women in 4IR/STEAM Education Fields

Challenge

Across Belize, students lack many skills in demand in today’s economy. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology, EDC is implementing a consultancy under the Skills for the Future Program to increase girls’ (ages 11-15) interest and participation in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education and career fields.

This initiative, Promoting Participation of Women in 4IR (Fourth Industrial Revolution)/STEAM Education Fields, will develop a curated set of training materials for girls to engage in STEAM learning through extra-curricular activities. Activities will include site visits, hands-on workshops, mentorship by women in STEAM fields, and group innovation projects. EDC will partner with businesses, artist networks, universities, museums and houses of culture engaged in analytical sciences, ocean conservation, alternative sustainable livelihoods, renewable energies, creative industries and others across the blue, green and orange economies.

Key Activities

1. Conduct a stakeholder analysis to identify challenges and opportunities that affect girls’ and women’s participation in STEAM education and career pathways
2. Curate existing 4IR/STEAM education materials and private sector partners to implement a 10-12 week STEAM interactive training program for girls as part of extracurricular activities
3. Host a national STEAM festival to showcase girls’ innovation projects across Belize
4. Monitor and evaluate outcomes to measure changes in perception, interest and participation in STEAM learning and career exploration

Impact

1. Reach 1000 girls ages 11–15 in all 6 districts of Belize through afterschool or extracurricular STEAM learning activities
2. Bring together universities, businesses, artists networks, and women professionals across Belize to promote interest and participation in STEAM for primary and secondary school age girls
3. Showcase innovation projects developed by girls through district level STEAM Festivals