The Ghana Science & Tech Explorer Prize (GSTEP) Challenge has opened applications for prospective students to submit entries for the 2023 edition of the Challenge. Applications are open from Tuesday 14th February 2023 to Friday 14th April 2023. Students who participate in the Challenge will compete to develop solutions that address issues in communities and society at large using Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply, interested students must be in a team of between 4 to 6 team members. All team members must be in Junior High School at the time of application and with all team members attending the same Junior High School. Applications are open to schools in the Greater Accra, Eastern and Ashanti regions only. The Challenge is open to both private and public Junior High Schools and each team must be represented by ideally a teacher or an adult associated with and selected by the school. Multiple teams from the same Junior High School can apply for the Challenge however team members cannot be part of multiple teams. Interested applicants are encouraged to access the Eligibility Criteria on the Resources tab of the GSTEP website to review the eligibility criteria before applying.
How to submit an entry
Interested participants should visit www.gstep.org.gh and click on the Resources tab to access the application form. Upon completion of the application form, entry form fields can be filled and submitted online on the 2023 Registration portal tab on the GSTEP website. Lessons plans are available on the Resources tab to assist in the development of ideas for the Challenge.
Assessment of entries
Entries will be assessed by a team of assessors and judges to determine the 100 finalist teams that will progress into the Challenge. Interested applicants are encouraged to access the Judging Criteria on the Resources page to review the criteria that will be used to select the ideas/teams for the Challenge.
2023 GSTEP Challenge Activities
In May 2023, 100 finalist teams will be selected from the Greater Accra, Eastern and Ashanti regions to participate in the 2023 GSTEP Challenge. The teams will be inducted into the program in June 2023. During the induction events they will participate in a series of workshops to prepare them for the Challenge. They will also be paired with mentors and coaches who will guide them through the Challenge and support them in the development of their prototypes.
From June to November 2023, finalist teams will undergo mentorship and coaching sessions to support them in the development of their prototypes and provide them with knowledge and skills in problem solving, teamwork, communication, presentation and business plan development. The teams will also participate in industrial and media engagements to give them practical hands-on experiences.
Finalists will pitch their ideas to a panel of expert judges in November and present their final projects to the general public at an exhibition in January 2024. Teams will be recognized and winners will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony in January 2024.
The GSTEP Challenge is a challenge prize competition that seeks to equip young Ghanaians with knowledge, skills, support and resources to use STEM and enterprise as a force for social good. The GSTEP Challenge is being implemented by DreamOval Foundation in partnership with Challenge Works, Foundervine, MEST Africa and DEXT Technology. The program is funded by Fondation Botnar, a Swiss philanthropic organization committed to championing the use of artificial intelligence and technology to improve the wellbeing of children. Interested applicants can email challenge@gstep.org.gh or call 0595703311 for assistance.
