Bridging the Gap in STEM Education for 1200 Girls

LING Quarterly Report – Q1

Introduction

The first quarter of the year began at a slower pace as we transitioned from the holiday break into a new program cycle while navigating funding constraints. Despite these challenges, the dedication of our team and the unwavering belief of our supporters enabled us to continue working toward our mission of impacting underserved communities through digital literacy and STEM education.

We began the quarter by mapping additional rural schools and validating learner data to ensure that our interventions reach the communities that need them most. This process helped us strengthen our targeting strategy and ensured that learners from low-resource classrooms remain at the center of our programs.

Project Activities

Our core activities during the quarter focused on piloting our Digital Literacy and Citizenship Education Project as part of our participation in the Team4Tech Community of Practice cohort.

Through our MoodleBox offline learning server, we were able to provide digital learning opportunities to students in hard-to-reach communities where internet connectivity continues to limit access to educational resources. This offline solution allowed learners to navigate digital content, build foundational digital literacy skills, and explore responsible digital citizenship.

As data literacy becomes increasingly important in education, we also introduced learners to basic data visualization concepts using our Databot tool. In one hands-on classroom demonstration, students explored the effect of light on plants during photosynthesis. By shining a torchlight on a plant and using the Databot sensor, learners were able to visualize changes in light intensity and understand how environmental factors influence plant growth.

The quarter was also a period of significant operational activity. We received new STEM learning resources from Engineering Tomorrow, which will support future hands-on science and engineering learning. At the same time, our team worked extensively on funding applications aimed at scaling our programs. This included travel to national offices in major cities across Ghana to respond to due diligence and follow-up inquiries related to our funding proposals.

Impact

During the first quarter, 753 learners were reached through our programs.

• 487 girls
• 266 boys

Learners participated in a range of activities designed to strengthen their STEM and digital skills, including:

• Digital literacy training through offline learning platforms
• Introduction to responsible digital citizenship
• Hands-on STEM learning activities and demonstrations
• Data literacy and visualization exercises using Databot
• Creative learning activities designed to encourage problem-solving and innovation

In addition, four members of the LING team are currently participating in the Team4Tech Generative AI Cohort, which is strengthening their professional capacity to explore responsible AI use in education and also at project and program level. The knowledge gained from this cohort will be piloted with selected school teachers and learners later in the year.

Challenges

While the program continues to deliver greater value, several challenges remain:

• Limited number of tablets, which restricts the number of learners who can participate simultaneously.
• Increasing demand from schools requesting LING interventions, which requires additional personnel and resources to meet the growing interest.

Mitigation

To address these challenges, LING is:

• Actively pursuing new funding opportunities to expand device access and program reach.
• Strengthening partnerships with organizations and donors to support resource mobilization and program scaling.
• Improving our data mapping and prioritization strategy to ensure that the most underserved schools receive support first.

Next Steps

In the coming quarter, LING plans to:

• Expand access to our digital literacy and STEM programs to additional rural schools.
• Pilot Generative AI learning modules for teachers and learners, helping them better understand the role of AI in education and addressing common misconceptions.
• Deploy newly received STEM resources to strengthen hands-on science and engineering learning experiences.
• Continue building strategic partnerships that support scaling and sustainability.

Conclusion

Despite a slow start to the year, the first quarter demonstrated the resilience and commitment of the LING team and community. Through innovative offline digital learning solutions and hands-on STEM engagement, we continue to provide meaningful educational opportunities for learners in underserved communities. As demand for our programs grows, we remain committed to expanding access while maintaining a strong focus on quality and impact.

Acknowledgement of Supporters

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the individuals and partners who continue to believe in our mission.

Special appreciation goes to The Peters Group and family for their continued support and belief in our work. We also thank Engineering Tomorrow for providing valuable STEM learning resources. Our sincere thanks also go to Jonathan, Mei , Abena, Nana-Morgan, Jillian and Robert for their encouragement and support throughout this period.

Your generosity and commitment make it possible for us to continue empowering young learners with the skills they need to thrive in the digital and STEM-driven future.

Introduction

The past quarter has been one of inspiration, creativity, networking, and discovery at Literacy in Northern Ghana (LING). Staying true to our mission of promoting digital inclusion and hands-on STEM learning, our team delivered a series of transformative workshops designed to spark curiosity and build 21st-century skills among students and teachers across our partner schools.

With the growing interest in science, technology, and innovation, our programs continue to bridge the gap between learning and real-world application, equipping young learners especially girls to explore the world through technology and creative problem-solving.

We were honored to take part in high-level stakeholder dialogues on supporting EdTech policy development for Ghana, and we also had the privilege of engaging with the Team4Tech Executive Director for the Africa Hub during her visit to Ghana. These interactions enriched our perspective and allowed us to share insights about LING’s innovative project work and its community impact.

Workshop Scope and Activities

Throughout the quarter, our workshops covered a diverse range of STEM and digital literacy themes, ensuring that both teachers and students gained practical, future-ready skills. The activities included:

• Drone Piloting: Learners explored the science of flight and navigation while understanding real-world applications of drones in agriculture, mapping, and logistics.
• Engineering Tomorrow’s Lab: Hands-on activities focused on bridge design, renewable energy, aerodynamics, and drug delivery simulations empowering learners to think like engineers and innovators solving community challenges.
• Digital Literacy Workshops: Teachers and learners were trained to use curated digital content in science lessons, enhancing classroom delivery and engagement. Lessons were accessed via an offline server, featuring content curated by classroom teachers.
• Data Literacy Using Databot: Students learned how to collect, visualize, and interpret real-time data exploring variables such as CO levels and gravitational force to strengthen inquiry-based learning.
• Robotic Coding with Micro:bit: Young participants programmed robotic cars to move, developing logical thinking, computational creativity, and teamwork.
• Augmented Reality (merge cube) : Learners were introduced to immersive digital experiences that made science come alive, stimulating deeper understanding through interactive visuals.

These workshops not only provided hands-on experiences but also built confidence, collaboration, and problem-solving skills among learners and educators alike.

 Impact Over the Quarter

This quarter, our programs reached an impressive 692 participants, including 421 girls and 271 boys.

This gender balance reflects LING’s strong commitment to empowering girls in STEM while ensuring equitable access to technology education for all learners.

Through these initiatives:

• Teachers demonstrated improved capacity in digital lesson planning and classroom integration.
• Learners exhibited heightened curiosity and engagement in science and technology subjects.
• Communities expressed growing interest in supporting STEM and EdTech programs in schools.

The joy and enthusiasm witnessed during these sessions reaffirm our belief that—with the right tools, guidance, and encouragement—every child can become a creator, innovator, and problem-solver.

Challenges Encountered

Despite the many successes, we faced some notable challenges:

• Limited access to digital devices in some partner schools restricted full participation.
• Unstable power supply occasionally disrupted hands-on sessions and demonstrations.

Mitigation Measures

To address these challenges, LING:

• Introduced a rotational learning system to ensure every learner could participate in the practical sessions.
• Deployed portable power backups to keep devices running during power interruptions.
• Uploaded curated science content to the offline server to ensure continued learning even in low-connectivity environments.

These measures ensured learning continuity and maximized the impact of every workshop.

 What’s Next

Looking ahead, LING plans to:

• Advocate for AI adoption among teachers, empowering them to use AI tools for lesson planning, assessments, and personalized learning.
• Organize continuous professional development clinics focused on digital content creation, AI literacy, and innovative classroom practices.
• Strengthen partnerships to acquire additional digital equipment and expand outreach to more rural schools, where access to quality learning resources remains limited.

Our goal in the next quarter is to reach more learners, equip more teachers, and integrate AI-driven learning into our digital inclusion programs across northern Ghana.

Conclusion

This quarter’s achievements reaffirm our belief that access to hands-on, technology-driven learning truly transforms lives. Each workshop, each session, and each learner’s smile represents progress toward a more inclusive, creative, and innovative generation.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our amazing donors such as Peters, Mei, Robert, Jonathan , Sarah, Wye, Abena, Irene, Teresa, Claudio, Laura, Maxwell

and GlobalGiving partners for standing by us on this journey. Your continued support fuels the dreams of young innovators in northern Ghana and lights the path toward a future where every child can thrive in the digital age.

Together, we are building bridges—not just of engineering, but of opportunity, innovation, and hope.