The 2025 Ghana Science and Tech Explorer Prize Challenge has seen an impressive influx of over 1,500 applications, reflecting a strong interest in the programme. Junior High School learners from the Greater Accra, Eastern and Ashanti have submitted their entries, showcasing a wide range of STEM- powered ideas that promise to drive change and solve problems in our Ghanaian communities.

This year’s challenge under the theme ‘Empowering the Next Generation of STEM innovators’ received applications on the three core themes of the GSTEP Challenge: “Live Healthier,” “Live Greener,” and “Live Together”. Junior High School learners have developed ideas focused on enhancing health through nutrition, hydration, and exercise. They have also developed concepts aimed at environmental sustainability, addressing critical issues such as climate change, conservation, and waste management. Additionally, we are accessing intriguing solutions to social challenges, including discrimination, communication, transportation, and crime.

The surge in applications this year does not only showcase the success of our previous editions but also highlights the growing awareness of the program’s impact. This enthusiasm is a testament to the effective outreach efforts by the GSTEP consortia, supported wholeheartedly by schools, educators, parents, and community leaders who recognize the significance of STEM education in shaping a promising future for young people especially the Junior High Students around them.

The timeline for the challenge prize process outlines the activities designed for our finalist teams and all other participants. From November to December, a thorough review of applications will be carried out by a group of experts. The number of applications will be narrowed down to 105 teams across the regions, marking the semi-finalist stage, which will take place from January to February. In March through May, we eagerly await the finalist inductions, where successful teams from the three participating regions will engage in various activities to prepare them for the challenge prize. Notably, they will be paired with mentors and coaches who will provide vital support and guidance in developing their prototypes.Come June, we will kick off the Pitching and Judging stage, with events in each of the three regions where finalist teams will present their ideas to a panel of expert judges tasked with selecting the best category idea winners and ultimately the winners for this year’s challenge prize. 

The much-anticipated GSTEP Exhibition and Awards Ceremony in July will allow all teams from Greater Accra, Eastern, and Ashanti regions to showcase their prototypes to the public, including schools, education stakeholders, and their supportive friends and families, providing an opportunity for valuable feedback on their efforts.Finally, between August and September, the GSTEP consortium will visit and present STEM materials to schools of the the GSTEP category winners of the challenge prize.

As the competition unfolds, we anticipate unique projects and inspiring stories of the finalist teams that will make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

The 2025 GSTEP Challenge would not be possible without the collective efforts of a consortium of partners, including the DreamOval Foundation, Partnership Bureau, Shulem Lake, and the Practical Education Network (PEN), along with the strong support from the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, funded by Fondation Bortnar. 

Together, we are shaping the future of STEM education in Ghana, one innovative idea at a time.