Mentoring and Coaching the Next Generation of STEM Innovators through the 2025 GSTEP Challenge

Mentorship is a powerful and transformative experience that can shape the future of STEM education and innovation. In the context of the Ghana Science and Tech Explorer Prize  Challenge competition, the role of a mentor and coach takes on a special significance, as it involves guiding and inspiring Junior High School students across the Greater Accra, Eastern and Ashanti regions of Ghana with guidance and support in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Entrepreneurship. 

The GSTEP programme provides students with essential resources, kits, and technical support to help them develop solutions for identified challenges. The skills and knowledge acquired are both practical and applicable within and beyond the classroom. 

In this article, we will explore the importance of becoming a mentor and a coach for the GSTEP 2025 Challenge, the profound impact it can have on both mentors and mentees, and how to apply.

The GSTEP Mentorship Programme provides students with leadership to help them acquire relevant skills and knowledge in STEM as well as progressive skills such as teamwork, presentation, problem solving and communication skills. Mentors help in uncovering challenges that students might be facing in the Challenge and build confidence in them to complete the processes of Challenge. 

Each participating team also benefits from the guidance of a technical coach, who offers expertise in relevant technical areas and aids in the design, creation, and assembly of prototypes that address these challenges. This role also allows coaches to enhance their own skills and knowledge as they explore the problems and potential solutions, contributing to the successful development of prototypes.

The programme is open to individuals who are passionate about STEM and entrepreneurship and wish to positively impact the lives of young Ghanaians. Applicants must be 18 years or older and reside in the Eastern, Greater Accra, or Ashanti regions. A solid understanding of STEM is required, along with the ability to dedicate quality time to engage with their mentee group, ideally through both in-person and virtual interactions. To qualify as a technical coach, applicants must have a background in engineering. Engineering students are encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates will be highly motivated, technically adept, and experienced in the innovation process, with a strong background in practical innovation development.

Practical Education Network (PEN), a member of the GSTEP Consortium and a non-profit organisation specialising in practical STEM education, will provide coaching and mentoring support to the participants of this year’s challenge.

One of the key reasons to consider becoming a mentor and a technical coach for the GSTEP 2025 Challenge is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people in the Ghanaian communities and beyond. By sharing your knowledge, expertise, and passion for STEM fields, you can help nurture the talents and ambitions of these curious minds. As a mentor, you have the privilege of guiding and supporting our young people as they tackle real-world challenges, empowering them to think critically, collaborate effectively, and develop innovative solutions that will solve problems in their communities and wherever they might find themselves

In the first year of the GSTEP Challenge, in an interview, Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann, a GSTEP Mentor, pledged her support to the GSTEP Programme because it resonates with her passion in STEM education.

 She stated that, “ I normally mentor a lot of students but every individual has a different need and so it was an opportunity for me to learn as well. These days we have these large class sizes so when a student is in class with a whole lot of others, the individual attention they may need may not be there. In the GSTEP Programme, I saw and appreciated the individual attention given to the young people by these mentors and for this reason, I encourage all to apply’’

As part of the GSTEP challenge, mentors are matched with finalist teams. They offer guidance and support to assist these teams in successfully completing their projects for the competition. Additionally, mentors help teams develop their business plans and improve their presentation and communication skills. They assess the teams to identify any key challenges and provide support as needed, or they facilitate the necessary resources to address those challenges effectively.

As a mentor and technical coach for the 2025 GSTEP Challenge Prize, you have the opportunity to hone your leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills while gaining fresh perspectives from the mentees you guide. The mentor-mentee relationship is a two-way street, and mentors often find themselves learning and growing alongside their mentees, further enriching their own professional and personal development.

Mentors of the GSTEP Challenge have often found that their involvement in the competition opened doors to new partnerships, projects, and avenues for professional advancement. The bonds formed with our young mentees can evolve into lasting connections that extend far beyond the duration of the competition.

Becoming a mentor and coach for the 2025 GSTEP Challenge competition is an amazing opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of STEM education and innovation. By embracing the role of a mentor and coach, you can inspire, guide, and empower the next generation of innovators, contribute to a culture of creativity and problem-solving, and experience personal and professional growth. 

The 2025 GSTEP Challenge is implemented by DreamOval Foundation in partnership with Partnership Bureau, Shulem Lake, and Practical Education Network (PEN).  It has support from the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, and is funded by Fondation Botnar.

Applications are now open for Mentors and Technical coaches interested in being part of GSTEP Challenge 2025.

Click on the link to apply: https://forms.gle/fjpEdL7hd5fJNqAY7