Girls in Ethiopia, particularly those in remote rural areas, face unequal access to quality education and are significantly under-represented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects and careers.
In 2026 we are proud to embark on the next phase of our partnership with Boeing Foundation, building on strong evidence from previous investments in STEM induction and numeracy improvement in Wolaita Zone.
In July, we held a final reflection meeting on the 2025/26 project with key stakeholders in government and school leaders to capture learning for the next phase.
Key achievements in 2025/26:
- The project positively influenced teachers’ and students’ attitudes toward science subjects, particularly boosting students’ confidence and motivation in STEM, with notable improvements among girls.
- STEM induction training increased female students’ motivation and confidence in participating in science lessons.
- Coaching and mentoring support to School Leaders and science teachers improved classroom practice in science subjects and enhanced teachers’ lesson planning quality.
- The social-emotional learning (SEL) components of the project enabled teachers to better support students based on their individual needs.
- The project spurred student innovation aimed at solving community problems. As a result, target schools participated in the annual innovation exhibition organized by the STEM Department of Wolaita Zone Education—a development not seen in the two to three years prior to the project.
While the 2025/26 project focused on expanding access to STEM induction, the 2026/27 project will deepen impact by strengthening classroom practice, institutionalizing approaches within government systems, and creating a sustainable, scalable learning model.
Girls Into STEM Project