Girls Using STEM to Change the Community

Guliza Akhunzhanova, Nazerke Asilbekova, Saikal Baltabaeva and Diana Aidarova are four classmates from Kyzyl-Kiya, a city in southern Kyrgyzstan. A few years ago, they learned about the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in everyday life through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) “STEM 4 Girls” project. This knowledge sparked their passion and desire to directly participate in the project.

To be selected, the group had to make a video demonstrating their understanding of science . They chose to film an experiment in which they inflated a balloon using a reaction between sodium and vinegar. Their video impressed the organizers and helped the group win the opportunity. In the fall of 2023, they participated in the first STEM training organized by UNICEF.

"At first, we were quite nervous, but gradually, we made many new friends, felt more confident and were completely absorbed in the creative world of science," the group of female students shared.

Not only focusing on STEM knowledge, the program also focuses on training soft skills such as leadership and communication skills. After participating in the project, the group of friends Guliza, Nazerke, Saikal and Diana decided to apply what they learned to renovate the school's locker room.

The room was covered in scribbles and the walls were quite dirty because they had not been cleaned for a long time. This not only affected their studies but also made them feel uncomfortable. After class, the group started calling their friends to help clean the walls.

They also mobilized students and teachers to donate paint and renovation materials. The old room was gradually transformed into a clean, bright space. More importantly, the students understood that STEM is not just about theory but skills that can solve everyday problems that were previously easily overlooked.

The project inspired the girls to move on to a more pressing issue: waste management. They began holding sharing sessions with their classmates to raise awareness about waste separation and recycling.

From small sharing sessions, the group expanded its activities to the entire city. Sorting bins were placed in many schools and the students also collected recyclable materials from students across the city.

Although some teachers were skeptical at first, after attending the sharing sessions and witnessing the results with their own eyes, they gradually changed their views. Now, when looking back at the trash cans placed everywhere and the clean changing rooms, the students cannot hide their pride: "We were really surprised. Who would have thought that 9th graders could do such things?"

Participating in projects not only helps the girls improve their living environment, but also opens up opportunities for them to explore themselves.

“We gradually became more clear about what we wanted to be when we grew up and started to have more confidence in our abilities,” said Saikal, who is pursuing math and English with support from another UNICEF program.

The positive spirit and knowledge that the group accumulated inspired many of their peers to start similar projects. Through these practical experiences, they realized that STEM is not just about numbers or formulas, but a tool to solve seemingly small but meaningful problems in everyday life.

UNICEF's STEM 4 Girls program has become an example of the power of knowledge and companionship. It not only awakens the leadership potential of girls, but also gives them the belief that they can make a difference in their communities and the world around them.

The STEM 4 Girls program has reached more than 10,000 students across southern Kyrgyzstan. Beyond science and technology, the program also incorporates gender equality training and connects girls with successful women in STEM to inspire and mentor them. As a result, more than 48,000 students have benefited from peer-led lessons, and hundreds of girls have pursued advanced studies in STEM fields.

Source: UNICEF

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/nhom-nu-sinh-su-dung-stem-de-thay-doi-cong-dong-20250526144032273.htm