Nsesa Foundation, a non profit organization has kickstart its flagship summer program, “Project iSWEST” as part of its vision to spur an InnovationRevolution in Africa.
The project which commenced yesterday, July 17, brought together 29 students across Ghana, with 40% being females.
As part of the program, the students will be trained in coding, innovation and arduino.
The 3-week innovation boot camp will address problems in the educational sector, with participants working in teams to design innovative solutions to problems they have identified.
Benefits
Participants after the program will gain basic skills in Computer Programming and Microcontroller (Arduino) Programming as well as learn how to use the design process to identify a problem and develop possible, sustainable solutions to those problems.
They will also be able to turn a business idea into a viable business as well as pitch ideas and products.
About the Project
Project iSWEST 2018 will be in two parts, the Workshop Phase and the Innovation Phase.
Workshop Phase (Week 1)
Students will be introduced to the innovation process and given basic hands-on training in computer and Arduino programming.
Innovation Phase (Weeks 2 & 3)
Participants will familiarize themselves with problems after which they will work in teams to further research the problem, design and prototype an innovative solution to the problem.
Facilitators and mentors will be assigned to each team to support and assist the team during the innovation phase.
Students will also have mentorship sessions with young professionals from Facebook, Google and other reputable institutions in person and via video link.
The Pitch Day
The climax of Project iSWEST 2018 is the final day dubbed “The Pitch Day” where teams will present their solutions to a panel of judges, high school officials and other dignitaries.
Teams will be assessed on the impact, sustainability, feasibility and business viability of their projects.
Awards will also be presented to the top three teams.
The program was organized by Team Nsesa, a team of highly motivated young Ghanaian professionals, passionate about creating change by promoting a culture of innovation.
Nsesa literally means change in the Ghanaian language, Twi.
Nsesa’s vision is to spur an “Innovation Revolution” in Africa: a movement in which young people across the length and breadth of the continent are developing innovative solutions to problems in their communities using STEM.
By:StephanieHorsu/techvoiceafrica.com
