Project iSWEST (Innovating Solutions with Engineering, Science & Technology) is an annual summer program in Ghana to get high school students to develop innovative solutions to problems in their communities by inspiring them to be creative and then equipping them with the requisite tools, soft and hard - basic science, engineering and technology (SET) - skills. Project iSWEST will be run by “Team
Nsesa” in Accra, the capital of Ghana and will in summer 2014(in August) bring together 20 high schools students. Team Nsesa is a highly motivated group of young Ghanaians effecting change in Ghana by promoting a culture of innovation and problem solving. Nsesa means change in Akan (a native Ghanaian language).The 3 modules of Project iSWEST are:
2- Week Intensive Workshop (6hrs each day: 9am - 4pm, 1hr break)
In the first part of the program, students will be taught the innovation process and then given basic and practical training in electronics, robotics, computer programming, and Arduino programing over two weeks. Students will work in teams on various small projects and have the opportunity to listen to inspiring stories from the members of Team Nsesa. Students will not only be inspired, but will also be equipped with the skills needed to cause impact in various communities.
2-Week Innovation Phase & Project Pitches
In the second part of the program, 4 teams of students will receive funds, and be tasked to develop an innovative and cost efficient solution to a problem they have identified in the community over a two week period using local materials and the skills they obtained from the workshop. Members of Team Nsesa will support and consult with project groups in the process.The climax of the summer program will be the presentation of developed solutions to various problems. High School officials will be invited to the project presentations, along with policy makers and various organizations. Teams will be assessed on the impact, sustainability, technical feasibility and business viability of their projects. The most viable ones will receive funding for further development. The innovation phase gives students the opportunity to put to practice the skills they have developed and be innovators themselves. This process is very novel within the Ghanaian context since most similar programs just focus on inspiring students as well as giving them skills without assisting them to solve real life problems with these skills
iSWEST Team & iSWEST Lab
We will set up 1 iSWEST Team & iSWEST Lab (resourced with Computers, Arduino Kits, Electronic Kits) in one of the high schools after the program so students will continue building skills and developing solutions to problems in their communities. This is one of the most important aspect of the program since most students lack access to tools and equipments. By giving them these tools and equipments, students will be empowered to develop more skills on their own and well solve real life problems in their communities using the tools and equipments. Motivation
At the core of Project iSWEST is our desire to inspire the youth of our country to believe that they have the capacity to be innovative as well as to empower them to develop solutions to the problems within their communities.
