Telus Friendly Future Foundation Donates $5,080 To Contribute Towards Ornaments Of Grace & Virtue Intl. Org (Ogav)’S Inclusive And Transformative Girls Stem Club.
Mississauga Ontario, Dec. 15, 2023
TELUS Friendly Future Foundation® has donated $5,080 to contribute towards Ornaments of Grace & Virtue Intl. Org (OGAV)’s inclusive and transformative Girls STEM Club. To facilitate STEM Coding program learning sessions with a focus on Python programming, bridging the gender gap in STEM fields, and providing equal opportunities for participants from diverse backgrounds predominantly underprivileged black girls in Mississauga and Peel region.
According to a recent C.D. Howe Institute report (2022), The Knowledge Gap, Canada is experiencing a digital and STEM skills shortage due to rapid digitalization in the economy. The COVID-19 pandemic has also escalated the demand for STEM and digital skills, adding to the already-established labor shortages. A shortage that endangers both our quality of life, and economic competitiveness. This has only ignited the need to invest in increasing youth involvement, fostering their interest in STEM learning from an early age, and raising their awareness of STEM-related opportunities when deciding on their future career and educational aspirations.
This further buttress the concern of (UN SDG 4.4)- Bridging the digital gender equity gap in education to create inclusion and opportunity for girls and (UN SDG 5) – Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Supported by several studies have highlighted the fact that there are many barriers to STEM education for underrepresented groups, such as those from low-income communities who are marginalized due to their socioeconomic situation. Thus, negatively impacting diversity and inclusion in STEM careers. This could be attributed to numerous structural and perceived barriers to meaningful engagement at an early age such as lack of finances to access enriched STEM programs, and inadequate awareness of STEM programs, mentors, and various future career opportunities enabling the poverty cycle. Also, currently, the ratio of male to female in the STEM fields is 5 to 1, indicating a significant underrepresentation of women in STEM.
OGAV recognizes the important role our organization can play in increasing gender and ethnic diversity in students who participate and benefit from extra-curricular educational enrichment activities such as STEM education. We are passionate about girl’s education and empowerment. Using technology to support under-resourced learners in gaining the skills they need for education and economic success. This will inspire, educate, and equip the girls with the computing skills needed to pursue the 21st century.
OGAV promotes and encourages STEM education among girls through our two initiatives, STEM CODING School Clubs and STEM CODING Summer Camp. Our free weekly virtual STEM CODING program started in March 2023 with our partner BYSSI and Cyber square Tech; fifteen girls registered for an eight-week beginner course and have since improved to twenty-five. Another session is starting in Jan 2024 for girls ages 10 – 18 with the OGAV Coding facilitator running the program – Python.
We are very grateful for the opportunity and support from TELUS Friendly Future Foundation. I can firmly say this is helping us sustain the program and increase our capacity to reach out to more students. Our target is a hundred students in the next six months going through our beginner to advanced python coding classes and thank you again to the foundation for making these free classes possible and surely a positive change in their lives for a better community. The grant is helping bridge the social economic barriers for under-resource learners. We are confident that the impact of this program is generating not only knowledge and skill acquisition interests but also interest in related careers which is a transformational shift.
Please visit www.ogav.org for more information on our STEM Program and visit www.friendlyfuture.com for more information on the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation.
Contact Details:
Busola Kolade
OGAV ED
contact@ogav.org
437-254-0113