UNESCO STEM Bootcamp Brings Girls to Forefront of Innovation in Kenya

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Victor Ongor
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UNESCO science bootcamp brings girls to the forefront of innovation in Kenya

More than 320 students, educators, and partners converged at Alliance Girls High School in Kiambu country, Kenya from 8–12 April 2026 for the STEM Bootcamp of Excellence.

23 April 2026 Last update: 24 April 2026 The immersive experience was designed to ignite ambition, unlock potential, and redefine what is possible for girls in science and technology. The bootcamp created a vibrant space where the next generation of innovators began to take shape.

At its core, the bootcamp which aims to bridge the gender gap by unlocking the potential of girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), reflected UNESCO’s ongoing commitment to advancing education, gender equality and sustainable development. Through close collaboration with the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO and other partners, the initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen STEM education systems and empower girls to drive change in their communities and beyond.

This momentum aligns with UNESCO’s 2024 global Call to Action on Closing the Gender Gap in Science, which calls for bold, systemic change—across classrooms, workplaces, and policy spaces - to ensure girls and women have equal opportunities to access, participate in and lead in STEM fields. By promoting inclusive teaching approaches, expanding mentorship, and addressing structural barriers, initiatives like this bootcamp are helping turn global commitments into tangible impact.

Victor Ongor Technology is rapidly shaping the future through innovations such as smart cities and digital transformation. I encourage you to embrace curiosity, resilience, and innovation, and to see yourselves as future leaders in this technology-driven world.

Engineer Josephine Ndanu, Konza Technopolis Development Authority

Hands-on learning and real-world problem solving

The bootcamp came alive through hands-on, project-based learning led by the STEM Impact Centre Kenya. Students immersed themselves in a range of STEM tracks, each offering a chance to experiment, build, and innovate. In robotics and Internet of Things (IoT) sessions, participants worked with microcontrollers and automation tools such as Arduino and EV3 systems, while others designed and programmed robots using VEX IQ platforms and Scratch.

Creativity met technology in sessions on front-end web development and creative coding, where students built websites, designed animations, and developed educational games. Meanwhile, mobile application development workshops introduced platforms like

Code.org and MIT App Inventor, enabling learners to create practical solutions - including apps addressing waste management challenges in their communities.

These experiences went beyond technical skills. They encouraged critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving - helping students connect STEM concepts to real-world challenges and see themselves as innovators capable of making a difference.

Victor Ongor Equity and inclusion must remain at the centre of our education systems. We must intentionally support girls from marginalized communities and ensure that no one is left behind by implementing targeted interventions and inclusive policies that expand access to STEM education for all learners.

Eveline Mutei

Building capacity for inclusive STEM education

While students explored new frontiers in STEM, teachers engaged in specialized training designed to strengthen inclusive and gender-responsive teaching practices. These sessions emphasized the importance of addressing unconscious bias, encouraging equal participation, and creating classroom environments where every learner feels supported to thrive.

The need for sustained, intentional investment in such initiatives was underscored by Kiambu County Director of Education, Simon Wanjohi. He highlighted the critical role of STEM bootcamps in addressing persistent gender disparities, inspiring girls, and building a strong pipeline of future innovators and problem-solvers. His remarks reinforced a shared call to action: to dismantle barriers, challenge stereotypes, and actively create opportunities for girls to succeed in STEM.

By the third day, a visible shift had taken place. Students approached their projects with greater confidence and creativity, collaborating more effectively and applying their knowledge in practical ways. Teachers, in turn, refined strategies to carry this momentum into their classrooms - ensuring that the impact of the bootcamp would continue long after it ended. Mentorship stood out as a defining element of the experience, offering guidance, inspiration, and a sense of possibility for participants navigating their STEM journeys.

Victor Ongor Mentorship has the power to transform lives - it builds confidence, strengthens skills, and opens doors to new opportunities. I encourage you to pursue innovation and research boldly, while working to overcome the systemic barriers that continue to limit girls’ full participation in STEM.

Catherine Ngila, Executive Director, African Foundation for Women and Youth in Education and STI. The STEM Bootcamp of Excellence ultimately demonstrated what is possible when inspiration meets opportunity. By combining practical learning, mentorship, and a strong focus on inclusion, the initiative not only addressed immediate learning needs but also contributed to lasting change in STEM education. It reaffirmed UNESCO’s key message: investing in girls’ education is investing in a more innovative, equitable, and sustainable future.

What UNESCO does on STEM Gender equality and education

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Related items

• Education
• Natural sciences
• Gender equality
• Priority Africa
• Foster Science ＆ Innovation for Humanity
• Mobilize Education to Transform Lives
• Respond to Current Global Challenges (AI, Climate Change Biodiversity…)
• Gender equality in education
• Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
• Education in Africa
• Country page: Kenya
• Topics: Display
• Region: Africa
• UNESCO Office in Nairobi and Regional Bureau for Science
• SDG: SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
• See more add This article is related to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

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