About this innovation

Innovation Stats
Innovation Type: Approach
What phase of development is your innovation currently in?: Stage 5: Market Growth
Where did you create your innovation?: Ghana, United States
Where have you implemented your innovation?: Ghana, United States
In what sectors does your innovation belong?: Education, Youth

In The News

Provide a status update for your Innovation.

Last year IREX piloted the program and invested in nearly 300 students and teachers in the DC Metro Area and Ghana who increased enthusiasm for STEM through global collaboration to create inventions like a sustainable earth battery, piezo mat, and more. Currently, IREX is working to relaunch and grow the initiative and reach 500 students in the DC Metro Area and Ghana 

How does your innovation work?

The World Smarts STEM Challenge pairs high school teachers and students from different countries on gender-balanced, collaborative teams that collaborate virtually. Teams compete to create the best STEM solution to global problems inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Finalists have the opportunity to attend an in-person showcase where they meet their binational partners, receive expert coaching, and present in front of a panel of experts. The challenge builds skills in innovation, investigation, problem-solving, and collaboration with people from different backgrounds.

What is your strategy for expanding use of your innovation?

To meet the different needs of schools IREX has two program design models of the World Smarts STEM Challenge. The first model, based on the original pilot increases students’ expertise in STEM competencies and enthusiasm for STEM careers resulting in high-quality prototypes of STEM solutions and deep global collaboration. The second model increases students’ awareness to STEM thinking and exposure to STEM fields and global collaboration. 

Next Steps

IREX is currently raising funds to support the relaunch and expansion of the program.

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