As we enter the second year of our partnership with Ghana, e4usa is thrilled to provide an update on the remarkable progress we've made together. Our collaboration, which began with the signing of an agreement to bring engineering education to high schools across Ghana, has flourished beyond our expectations. This partnership, supported by the Otumfuo Foundation, the Ghana Education Service, and numerous educational institutions, is a testament to the power of global collaboration in transforming education.
A Strong Start with Dedicated Champions
In September 2023, e4usa officially launched its curriculum with 10 high school teachers and 2 university professors across Ghana, following a rigorous selection and training process. The 12 Ghanaian educators, affectionately known as the Ghanaian Champions, have embraced the program with enthusiasm and dedication, delivering hands-on, practical engineering education to their students. This approach has already begun to reshape students' perceptions of engineering and ignite their interest in pursuing engineering careers.
Joel Adongo, a teacher at Aggrey Memorial AME Zion SHS, shared his experience: "Since I started teaching the e4usa curriculum in September 2023, it has been full of fun and excitement. The practical nature of the course has significantly changed students' perceptions of engineering, and many are now choosing engineering-related programs at universities, such as civil engineering, computer science engineering, and more. e4usa has been an eye-opener for both me and my students."
Achievements and Impact
The impact of e4usa's curriculum has been profound. Kofi Aidoo, a teacher at Mfantsipim School, highlighted how the program has enabled his students to excel in STEM competitions: "Through the teaching of the e4usa curriculum, my school has, for the first time ever, started winning STEM competitions. In March 2024, we won the Academic City University 'TECH EXPO' Competition and the EYE MODEL Competition organized by the School of Optometry at the University of Cape Coast in collaboration with Cardiff University (UK)."
These achievements reflect the program's ability to engage students deeply, not only in the classroom but also in broader STEM initiatives. The visibility of e4usa's activities has even led to Aggrey Memorial AME Zion SHS being selected to pilot STEM as a new curriculum in the Ghana Education Service.
Building Strong Community Partnerships
e4usa's success in Ghana is also due to the strong relationships we've built with community partners. One such partnership is with Zipline, a company known for using drones to deliver medical supplies. In June 2024, students from Kpasenkpe STEM SHS visited Zipline's Vobsi Center and the Tono Water Treatment Center in Navrongo. These visits provided students with real-world insights into engineering applications in their communities.
During their visit to the Zipline Center, students witnessed drone operations firsthand and even had the opportunity to launch a drone themselves. At the Tono Water Treatment Center, they learned about the entire water treatment process, from natural sedimentation to distribution.
These experiences are invaluable in helping students connect classroom learning with real-world engineering challenges, further solidifying their interest in engineering fields.
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for e4usa in Ghana
As we move forward into the second year of our partnership, the future looks incredibly bright. We are excited to continue working with our Ghanaian Champions, who have already made a significant impact on their students and communities. The commitment and passion of these educators have exceeded our expectations, and we are confident that they will continue to lead the way in expanding engineering education across Ghana.
At e4usa, we take the "For US All" part of our name seriously. This partnership with Ghana embodies our mission to demystify and democratize engineering education for students everywhere. We are eager to see the continued growth and development of our program in Ghana and to explore new opportunities for collaboration and innovation in the years to come.
