1. IRC ABIDJAN STEM PROJECT FY 2016

2. Engaging Youth through STEM Education Background and context STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is not a strongpoint in Cote d’Ivoire’s education system and represents a fundamental weakness as the country attempts to prepare a competitive workforce for the global economy. STEM education is especially lacking among young women and girls, as well as other under-served populations. The IRC in Abidjan would like to help address this deficiency by placing increased focus on this area and creating a “STEM Center” in the IRC. The IRC STEM Center is a bridge to the future. Post ‘s goal is to serve as a leading center for science research, education, and innovation for youth in Cote d’Ivoire.

3. MISSION INTEGRATED STRATEGY The STEM emphasis supports the Mission’s Integrated Country Strategy goals of supporting and strengthening Cote d’Ivoire’s democracy and democratic institutions by engaging with women and youth as well as promoting the economic development of Cote d’Ivoire by increasing the capacity of its future workers, managers, teachers, scientists, and entrepreneurs. As the world becomes more science and technology driven, a strong foundation in math and science will open higher education, jobs, and business opportunities for young Ivoirians who will have the skills and talent to contribute to the nation’s growth and the diversification of its economy. Most importantly, the IRC, through the promotion of STEM, is uniquely positioned to provide a guidepost for young Ivorians to gain the higher education required to obtain the jobs that will shape the future.

4. STEM VISION The STEM center will seek to increase children’s early exposure to technology and science, provide learning opportunities, enhance critical thinking and reasoning skills, and stimulate greater interest in STEM careers. This project will be especially focused on encouraging young women and girls to pursue a STEM course of study through innovative programming which could include relevant speakers, digital video conferences, Science clubs, contests, and possibly annual STEM camps.

5. IRC NEW DESIGN STEMSTEM English Lab IRCA IRCD Description IRCTIRCT 1 Create a STEM Space 2 The small laboratory 3 Create an English Language Lab with 4 computers 1 shelf on English learning books 4 Create a stage for conferences 5 The Programming Space, 6 ipads and laptops bar 7 Reading earea 8 Children corner 9 Petit Salon 1 (harm chairs) 10 Petit Salon 2 Laboratory 3 4 5 6 1 2 7 8 9

6. GOAL 1: EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING Objective 1.1 Identify promising young girls to develop their STEM capacities Objective 1.2 Provide training, support and mentoring, to embrace scientific careers Objective 1.3. Develop innovative programs to prepare youth for professional and graduate schools and for position in growing and emerging areas such as biotechnology, health care professions, computer science and robotics.

7. GOAL 2: ENHANCE STUDENT SUCCESS Objective 2.1 Recruit motivated students to use the IRC STEM to invent and design scientific and technological items. Objectives 2.2 Strengthen academic resources in the IRC STEM.

8. GOAL 3 – GREATER EFFECTIVENESS Objective 3.1 Integrate planning and assessment to improve program effectiveness Objective 3.2 Align STEM priorities to post budget to ensure funding for the upcoming years to maintain and upgrade the equipment Objective 3.3 Ensure that STEM related investment support STEM Camps, Science days programs and learning capabilities. Objective 3.4 Privilege alumni in Scientific domain.

9. GOAL 4 – COMMITMENT Objective 4.1 Strengthen partnerships with schools and scientific associations Objective 4.2 Promote science and technology education among youth to enter in STEM- related careers Objective 4.3 Expand STEM knowledge and skills to increase student’s interest in STEM education.

10. BUDGET – FY 2015 American Space Funds $15,500.00 Post support: $11,000.00 Total: $ 26,000.00

11. BUDGET Supplies – Facilities: $10,000.00 Supplies – Resources: $4,000.00 Contractual – Technology: $0.00 Contractual – Programs: $500.00 Other: $500.00

12. TIMING Timing to implement the STEM Space Submission date: November 2014 Approval date: April 2015 Ordering process: May 15, 2015 Receiving the orders: Tentative August 2015 Implementation of the STEM Space: July to September 1, 2015 Dedication of the STEM Space: September 9, 2015 or November 10, 2015

13. EQUIPEMENT Set from eshop (3D printer + accessories and supplies to introduce youth to innovation and design scientific items). One robotic equipment according to the robotics types: 1 - Service robots - robots made to show off technologies, robots used for research, etc. 2 - Entertainment robots - It starts with toy robots such as robosapien or the running alarm clock and ends with real heavyweights such as articulated robot arms used as motion simulators. 3 - Humanoid - To work in human environments and use human tools and interact with people Two sets of science equipment in the STEM Space to introduce youth with scientific and strategic thinking.

14. PROGRAMMING: The IRC will initiate different programs targeting youth to promote the STEM Space on Wednesday morning for primary school students and in the afternoon for secondary school students. The NH network schools will also be a target audience for the STEM programs. The Abidjan book fairs events will also expose the new space (STEM). The IRC has started scientific programs with youth on November 10th and 20th and will continue on a quarterly basis to prepare the target audience to engage in scientific fields and to use the new STEM Space.

15. 1 -STEM STORAGE – MODULABLE

16. 2 - THE SECOND STEM ROOM

17. 3 - IPADS BAR

18. REFERENCES https://www.ywcapgh.org/programs/teens- and-youth https://www.ywcapgh.org/programs/teens- and-youth http://www.lehman.edu/science- building/documents/stem-strategic-plan.pdf http://www.lehman.edu/science- building/documents/stem-strategic-plan.pdf

19. MIND MAPPING https://www.text2mindmap.com