January 2024

NEWSLETTER

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Full STEAM Forward is dedicated to promoting equity in science education by engaging girls of color, from underserved communities, in STEAM enrichment programs designed to foster a sustained passion for the sciences.

Dear FSF Community,


Happy New Year, and thank you to all those who donated to our end-of-year appeal! Your generosity will allow us to continue providing free, high-quality STEAM programming to young girls of color from underserved communities.


To kick off the new year, we'd like to highlight the work we're doing in Africa as part of a program we run for girls in Kenya. We are thrilled to share a few stories about how our program is impacting these young girls.


With gratitude,

Joni Bessler

CEO, Full STEAM Forward

FSF KENYA

Our program in Kenya partners with Prince Dan Academy, which is located in Kajiado Town, outside of Nairobi. The program uses a hybrid model, which allows our US based educator to synchronously lead classes with the help of Prince Dan teachers in the classroom. The curriculum is identical to the one used in the US, and incorporates locally sourced materials for our science and art projects. Since 2022, we have enrolled 25 girls from the Academy in our program.

FSF Kenya provides a strong science foundation that not only inspires the girls to love science but also builds confidence in their tenacious pursuit of self-discovery and success. Since the start of our partnership, we have been impressed by the enthusiasm, commitment, and engagement of these young girls, who have a boundless curiosity about science and eagerly participate in all aspects of our programs.


We’re excited to share the following comments on the impact we’ve had on our students and our Prince Dan colleagues, through this partnership:


From the aunt of one of our Prince Dan students:


“I think she has developed curiosity, confidence and self-appreciation! Yes, Peninah is indeed going to be a great scientist some day. She keeps talking about herself and the many ways she thinks she can make an impact. She told me that she can make a simple pulley after first giving me a lesson of what a pulley is and how it makes the work easier.”


From the Director of the Prince Dan Academy, Mr. Matuda:


“There is so much that my teaching staff has learned from the FULL STEAM FORWARD program. Most importantly is on ways to maximize learner engagement. Learners feel a great sense of belonging in the school when they are engaged during lessons. Quality instruction delivery is paramount when the goal is to inspire. I have seen it bear fruits in the past couple of years since FSF program kicked off in this school”.


From FSF's Director of Programming in Kenya, Mr. Magaga Enos:


“FSF Kenya’s special impact is highlighted by the reported data on the entry behavior of FSF Kenya’s graduates in the nearby secondary schools. The girls have aggressively dispelled the myth that science is only best suited for their male counterparts by hitting the ground running with an inquisitive dive into science exploration and projects in their 9th grade. Usually, in Kenya, the earliest we can have bold girls ready to spearhead and take part in a science and engineering fair is on their second semester of their 10th grade.”

HELP US DO EVEN MORE


Recent articles have highlighted that more than a third of the worlds youth, ages 15-24, will live on the African continent by 2050. We are excited to be bringing our highly impactful STEAM programming to this growing population of young girls, who will act as change catalysts in the years ahead!


Donate today, and help us ensure a bright future for these young girls!

DONATE TO FSF

OUR SPONSORS

FSF's work would not be possible without the support of our sponsors and community partners. Thank you for your contributions!


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Full STEAM Forward is a registered 501(c)(3) educational program