Building Early Pathways into STEM: Afro-Tech Girls Secondary School Bootcamps

For many girls, access to STEM begins with early exposure. The opportunity to experiment with technology, build something with their own hands, or see how science and engineering can solve real-world problems can shape how they think about what is possible for their future.

Since 2015, Afro-Tech Girls has created these opportunities through STEM bootcamps, workshops, and school-based programs for secondary school girls. Across different programs, participants have explored coding, robotics, renewable energy, data, design thinking, digital skills, and computer science, gaining practical experience while discovering the different ways they can engage with STEM.

Google CS First Clubs

Taking computer science into the classroom.

In partnership with the Cape Town Science Centre, Afro-Tech Girls delivered the Google CS First program across nine secondary schools in Lagos, reaching more than 300 girls.

Over two months, students used Google's CS First curriculum and Scratch to learn the fundamentals of computer science while creating animated stories, games, and other projects. The program also supported the development of analytical thinking, creative problem-solving, and digital literacy.

LSEB Solar Boot Camp Day

Exploring renewable energy through hands-on learning.

Our first bootcamp, held in collaboration with the Lagos State Electricity Board, introduced 20 girls to the benefits and applications of renewable energy, with a focus on solar power.

The program combined classroom tutorials with practical experiments using solar training kits, giving participants an opportunity to see renewable energy concepts in action and explore how technology can contribute to solving everyday challenges.

SheInnovates - Project30for30

Introducing girls to a world of possibilities in STEM.

Project30for30 was created to give 30 secondary school girls access to STEM learning and exposure they might not otherwise have had. Sponsored by Mrs. Tolu Owokade as a celebration of her 30th birthday, the two-week bootcamp was delivered by Afro-Tech Girls in partnership with Dhack Institute.

Participants explored coding, robotics, animation, and data analytics through hands-on learning, gaining new skills while discovering the possibilities available to them within STEM.

Robotics & Renewable Energy Bootcamp

From learning STEM to building solutions.

This bootcamp gave 30 girls the opportunity to explore different areas of technology, including robotics, renewable energy, data science, digital skills, app development, web development, and rapid prototyping.

The program moved beyond classroom learning into project-based work. Working in teams, participants applied what they had learned to develop solutions including a robotic lawn mower with obstacle recognition and an autonomous office document delivery robot.

ATG x IHS Design Thinking Summer Bootcamp

Building problem-solving skills through design thinking

Sponsored by IHS Nigeria, the ATG x IHS Design Thinking Summer Bootcamp brought together 100 senior secondary school girls across Lagos and Ogun States, with 50 girls participating in each location.

The two-week bootcamp introduced participants to design thinking through a curriculum developed by international experts, helping them understand problems, generate ideas, and develop solutions through experimentation and creative problem-solving.

STEM at Home Kit

Our STEM at Home Kits give young learners the materials and guidance to explore STEM through fun, hands-on experiments they can carry out at home, encouraging curiosity, creativity and learning by doing.

Building Early Confidence in STEM

Across these programs, the goal has remained consistent: give girls the opportunity to experience STEM for themselves.

By creating spaces where girls can learn, experiment, build, and solve problems, our secondary school programs help make STEM more accessible and give young learners an early foundation for continued exploration and future opportunities.