Education Ghana Project #65239

"Catch Them Young" Project - STEM Education

by ASUSTEM ROBOTICS ACADEMY

Project Report | Mar 11, 2025
" Catch Them Young" First Quarter Report 2025

By David Asumadu - Boateng | Executive Director - Projects & Partnerships

1. Introduction

Asustem Robotics Academy, a leading non-profit organization in Ghana, is dedicated to inspiring and nurturing the natural curiosity of children and youth through hands-on, inquiry-based STEM education. Our mission is to empower the next generation with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

2. Acknowledgments

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our donors, partners, organizations, and consultants for their unwavering support of our "Catch Them Young" project. Your contributions have been instrumental in achieving our goals this quarter.

3. Program Impact

During the first quarter of 2025, we successfully impacted over 500 children through our Saturday STEM Hubs across various communities. The programs offered included:

Robotics: Students learned to design, build, and program robots, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.
Arduino: Participants explored electronics and programming using Arduino platforms, enhancing their understanding of hardware-software integration.
Coding: Children were introduced to various programming languages, developing computational thinking and logical reasoning.
Website Development: Trainees acquired skills in creating and managing websites, promoting digital literacy.
Entrepreneurship: Sessions aimed at instilling business acumen and innovative thinking among the youth.

4. Strategic Partnerships

We have established significant partnerships to enhance our program's reach and effectiveness:

Salesforce: We have collaborated with Salesforce to utilize their ERP solutions at a discounted rate, streamlining our operations and data management.
University of Education, Winneba: Partnering with Ghana's premier educational institution, we aim to support and train vulnerable children in local communities, enriching their educational experiences.
Telecel Digitech Academy Project: Through this collaboration, we are delivering our STEM modules to children in government schools, ensuring broader access to quality STEM education.

5. Capacity Building

To support our expanding initiatives, we recruited and trained 25 new STEM coaches this quarter. These coaches are now equipped to deliver our programs effectively, ensuring sustained quality and impact.

6. Annual STEM Expo 2025

We successfully organized our Annual STEM Expo 2025, which saw enthusiastic participation from students, schools, and parents. The expo showcased the talents and projects of our trainees, highlighting the importance of STEM education in our communities.

7. Financial Overview

Our financial health remains robust, thanks to the generous support of our donors and prudent financial management. Detailed financial statements are available upon request.

8. Challenges and Future Outlook

While we have made significant strides, challenges such as resource limitations and reaching remote communities persist. We are actively seeking additional partnerships and funding to overcome these hurdles. Our focus for the next quarter includes expanding our reach, enhancing program content, and further capacity building.

9. Conclusion

The first quarter of 2025 has been a period of growth and impact for Asustem Robotics Academy. We remain committed to our mission of empowering the youth through STEM education and look forward to continued collaboration with our supporters.

Our Beneficiaries in Coding Labs

Electronics and Arduino Labs

Saturday Robotics Sessions

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Nov 11, 2024
August - October 2024 Report

By David Asumadu - Boateng | Executive Director - Projects & Partnerships

Graduating Students

Progress and Impact of Asustem Robotics Initiative

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your unwavering support of Asustem Robotics. Your contributions have empowered us to continue pursuing our vision of inspiring young minds and equipping them with critical 21st-century STEM skills. Because of your commitment, we have been able to impact hundreds of students across Ghana, making strides toward preparing a new generation for the future of work. We are pleased to provide this report to illustrate the tangible results achieved between August and October 2024.

Program Overview and Milestones

From August to October 2024, Asustem Robotics trained 600 students, with a significant focus on inclusivity and diversity. We’re proud to report that 60% of these students were girls, as we believe it’s essential to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields.

Additionally, half of these students participated through scholarships funded by your generous donations, as their families were unable to support the costs of training. This financial support has been instrumental in creating access to STEM education, particularly for students who might otherwise be left behind.

Outreach and Collaborations

During this period, Asustem Robotics partnered with four public schools in Ghana, extending our reach to the Volta Region and Greater Accra. Through these partnerships, we aimed to foster an early interest in STEM among students from underserved communities.

By providing schools with structured STEM curriculums and access to resources, we ensured that students could gain hands-on experience in robotics, coding, and other technical skills. Our in-school partner program has become a significant component of our outreach efforts, offering comprehensive, curriculum-aligned STEM training directly within school environments.

Scholarship Initiatives and Student Support

Of the 600 students trained, 50% were able to join the program on full scholarships. This initiative has enabled students from underprivileged backgrounds to experience a high-quality STEM education at no cost to their families. These scholarships have had a transformative impact on students who may not have had access to such opportunities otherwise. We remain committed to growing this scholarship fund, as it aligns with our mission to make STEM education accessible to all.

STEM Expo and Graduation Ceremony

In October, Asustem Robotics held its highly anticipated STEM Expo and Graduation Ceremony 2024, celebrating the achievements of 100 students who successfully completed various levels of our SMARTKIDS modules. This year, students graduated to the intermediate, junior, and senior levels, gaining valuable experience and a sense of accomplishment. The Expo brought together parents, educators, and community leaders, who witnessed firsthand the skills and projects our students developed. These levels are crucial in building a pathway for students, allowing them to advance through structured learning and hands-on STEM activities.

New Center in Kumasi

We are excited to announce the opening of a new STEM center in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region. This center represents a major milestone in expanding our impact and aims to train 1,200 students by May 2025. With both Saturday STEM Labs and in-school partner programs planned, this center will serve as a hub for STEM education, fostering skills in coding, robotics, engineering, and more. Establishing this center will allow us to reach even more students and schools, providing continuous training opportunities for youth in the region.

Program Outlook and Next Steps

Looking forward, we remain committed to further expanding our reach and deepening our impact across Ghana. Asustem Robotics is on track to continue delivering high-quality STEM education, especially targeting regions where students have limited access to such opportunities. We aim to provide ongoing support to our Kumasi center, grow our scholarship fund, and scale up our programs in existing locations. With your continued support, we are confident we can transform the lives of many more young Ghanaians, preparing them for the rapidly evolving job market.

Conclusion

Thank you once again for your belief in the mission of Asustem Robotics. Your donations have enabled us to deliver meaningful, life-changing education to hundreds of students and have laid the foundation for continued success. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and look forward to sharing more milestones and success stories with you in the coming months.

Students demonstrating projects and innovations

Our Inclusive Modules for People with Disability

Our Beneficiaries in Coding Labs

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