Empowering Girls in STEAM: WiSci Camp Unites South Asia

Kochi recently hosted a seven-day WiSci (Women in Science) camp, joined by 100 schoolgirls from India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and the United States. The camp focused on advancing gender equality in STEAM fields, providing leadership development, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help girls become future leaders.

Kochi recently became the epicenter of progressive education, as it hosted a seven-day WiSci (Women in Science) camp that gathered 100 schoolgirls from India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and the United States.

Held from June 2-8, the in-person WiSci South Asia STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Design, and Mathematics) camp aimed at pushing gender equality forward in the STEAM fields. This initiative was announced by the US Consulate General Chennai in a release on Sunday.

Organized by 'Girl Up,' a UN Foundation global leadership initiative, the camp offered unique leadership development opportunities, mentorship, and skill-building sessions. The campers benefited from networking opportunities within various STEAM domains, according to the release.

''By providing adolescent girls with transferable leadership tools and training, these camps aim for participants to realize their full potential in becoming leaders in their communities, not just in STEAM but across all disciplines,'' the statement read.

The program, in collaboration with the US Department of State's Office of Global Partnerships, the US Consulate General Chennai, and stakeholders like the Rajagiri Business School in Kochi, was supported by major entities, including Caterpillar Foundation, Google, TE Connectivity Foundation, and United Airlines.

At the camp's closing ceremony, Dorothy McAuliffe, the US State Department Special Representative for Global Partnerships, emphasized the importance of investing in girls' education for global economic empowerment. US Consul General Chennai Chris Hodges, who inaugurated the camp on June 2, highlighted the US government's wholehearted investment in Women in Science initiatives, noting their positive impact.

Interactive workshops and hands-on activities with industry experts provided young campers with insights and inspirations to impact the STEAM world. According to Melissa Kilby, CEO of 'Girl Up,' the camp embodied a commitment to empowering young women in STEAM by equipping them with crucial skills and confidence.

Notably, the camp's curriculum covered vital STEAM topics, such as climate science, artificial intelligence, and women's roles in aviation, with campers interacting with entrepreneurs and policymakers, according to the release. These STEAM activities were designed to forge cross-cultural connections among the South Asian girls, enhancing their career prospects and social impact.

Since 2015, over 1,100 girls from 34 countries have been trained at WiSci STEAM Camps worldwide, driving lifelong positive impacts in their communities.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)