The IEEE student branch of Bule Hora University was inspired to provide maximum impact and motivation to the female pre-university students of the Bule Hora area in STEM education. They created a program at Bule Hora University, located in Bule Hora, Ethiopia. The program was created with several goals and objectives including creating awareness for STEM education in pre-university female students and providing a platform and the resources for the respective education and applications.
Three local high schools of Bule Hora participated in this program and included 437 students, 37 teachers, and 7 volunteers. The students ranged from classes 10-12. The project was carried out over 9 weeks of teaching, mentoring, advising and final week video sessions. One day per school per week was used for this project. The program first focused on uncovering the needs and desires of the students, then followed with several weeks of classroom STEM education. In the last week, the students got to experience the program on-campus at Bule Hora University, where they continued their education and interacted with the university faculty members.
Through the IEEE student branch and this program, the participating students were provided with the ideas and benefits of STEM. Students were also inspired by learning about famous female STEM professionals. Students completed the program showing interest in both the program and various areas of STEM learning.
Enhancing the Participation of Girls of Bule Hora in STEM Courses of Bule Hora University was funded by the IEEE Pre-University STEM Portal Grant Program in 2021.