We are excited to partner with Safaricom Plc and UNESCO to provide digital mentorship for learners in high school interested in  Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)  through  the Ask a STEM Mentor Platform.  

The program involves working with role models and mentors to provide students with information on STEM subjects to enable them make informed career choices. Students will engage with tutors through programmes on local TV and community radio stations and also by asking and receiving any questions about STEM subjects via the interactive Ask a STEM mentor Platform on the shortcode 40291.

Being part of a project that engages STEM mentors was very interesting to us as it seeks to provide answers to secondary school students who are looking to enter into STEM careers. Both male and female students are given an equal chance to listen to presentations by the mentors via TV and radio programs. After, they get to ask questions related to STEM subjects and careers by sending the word MENTOR to 40291 and asking questions on the Ask a STEM Mentor platform.

The Ask a STEM Mentor platform was inspired by our feature on Shupavu291 where students interact with our teachers by asking academic related questions. This has become popular since March as schools were shut down and students do not have access to teachers.

Learners in disadvantaged families who do not have access to smartphones and internet also get to interact with mentors because the platform is available via SMS. This creates equal access to mentors for students whether they are in Turkana or Nairobi.

Find the full press release here