The Ghana Science & Tech Explorer Prize (GSTEP) – a dynamic educational programme for Junior High School (JHS) students geared toward youth empowerment and engagement in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) innovation -has opened for application.
This third edition, themed ‘Empowering the Next Generation of STEM Innovators’, aims at inspiring Ghana’s youth at the basic level to harness their potential in STEM and create impactful solutions for the nation’s future.
The GSTEP Challenge offers an invaluable platform for students to apply their STEM knowledge to address pressing issues in their communities across sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education and the environment.
During the ceremony, the GSTEP 2025 application portal was declared open – inviting junior high school students from the Greater Accra, Ashanti and Eastern Regions to submit their innovative STEM-based solutions for tackling real-world challenges.
Director of Science Education Unit, Ghana Education Service (GES), Olivia Serwaa Opare in delivering the keynote address commended implementation partners for such a transformative initiative – highlighting that the programme not only fosters creativity and critical thinking but also nurtures future leaders who can drive social and technological transformation.
“STEM is a key driver of innovation and progress in today’s world. Through initiatives like GSTEP, we are providing our students with the tools and opportunities to be leaders in this transformation. I urge all students to seize this moment to showcase their talents and make a difference in their communities. The future is in your hands,” she urged.
Afua Oforiwaa Asaimah Adjei, Executive Director-DreamOval Foundation – lead consortium partner for the GSTEP – reaffirmed its dedication to fostering the next generation of innovators, underscoring the pivotal role of STEM in shaping Ghana’s future.
“Our mission of equipping young minds with the skills, tools and forward-thinking mindset necessary to tackle real-world challenges drives us to continue the GSTEP Challenge. Over the years, we have witnessed incredible innovations from our young learners and we look forward to seeing even more groundbreaking ideas showcased this year,” she said.
The Challenge is funded by Fondation Botnar as part of its global mission to foster youth-led innovation. Its AI & Digital Innovation Lead, Siddhartha Jha, emphasised the foundation’s commitment to empowering young people.
“We fund the GSTEP Challenge because we believe in the power of young people to drive innovation and solve real-world problems. By supporting initiatives like GSTEP, we are helping equip the next generation with the skills and opportunities they need to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and beyond,” he said.
Participating in the GSTEP Challenge offers young learners a unique opportunity to apply STEM skills to real-world problems. The students will receive mentorship from STEM experts and educators, present their innovations nationally and compete for awards and recognition for their groundbreaking ideas.
How to Apply for GSTEP 2025
JHS students between the ages of 11 and 16 in the Greater Accra, Ashanti and Eastern Regions are encouraged to apply in teams with the guidance of their teachers and STEM coordinators. The application process is designed to be user-friendly and accessible, with a wealth of resources available to support students at every stage of the challenge.
The deadline for submissions is November 11, 2024. Successful teams will be able to present their innovative solutions at the grand exhibition and awards ceremony next year, where the most impactful projects will be awarded.
