From Martin Cook and the International Committee
A couple of weeks ago we had a presentation by Dr. Heather Beem, Founder,
President, and CEO of The Practical Education Network (PEN)
(www.practicaleducationnetwork.com). Dr. Beem is an MIT Ph.D. in Mechanical
Engineering who moved to Ghana and has devoted her work to find ways to
train science, math, and engineering teachers across Ghana in innovative, hand-on
ways to teach science using only inexpensive and readily available materials in
Ghana, where most schools can’t afford even a single piece of science equipment.
Our International Committee is interested in applying for grants to support PEN’s
work and we may even shoot for a Global Grant.
As a result of COVID, PEN has had to modify its teaching methods from in-person
teacher training to various virtual methods. As you might imagine, this is
challenging in the extreme in a country like Ghana where the internet structure is
unreliable and often not available. But this turns out to have an advantage: PEN is
able to reach far more teachers with their training and to think about expanding
their work beyond Ghana other sub-Saharan African countries. It is estimated that
by 2100, one-third of all human beings alive will be in Africa, and the work PEN is
doing developing talent in STEM areas will be key to Africa’s flourishing with that
many people.
While we hope that we can secure Rotary grants eventually to support PEN’s
work, Dr. Beem has recently indicated an urgent need for additional funds to
support this expanded work. For the past year, she has been running everything
from her living room! She needs funding for some of these needs much sooner
than our grant processes can possibly provide. So Kathleen encouraged me to
write up her request in case individual Rotarians might wish to contribute directly.
Judith Casey and my wife and I are already “PEN Pals” (monthly contributors to
her efforts, and we plan to contribute additional fund for her specific requests,
which are as follows directly from Dr. Beem:
"The last year has been one of unprecedented growth for Practical Education Network, and your support has directly enabled it. Thank you!
Before COVID, we never imagined moving our program online. But we were wrong.
With your support, we have successfully pivoted to an online platform. The results have been astounding. This means we can equip more teachers, transforming the educational experience of many more children.
This is great news! But it's also challenging.
We have outgrown our current workspace (my living room). We need a more effective and efficient office. As a growing organization, this is a new but necessary step for us. On the one hand, it's so encouraging that more and more students in Africa will have access to STEM education! On the other hand, it means we need to raise an additional $50,000.
$50,000 will enable us to:
- Lease a 3-room office
- Provide essential furnishings
- Set up a hands-on science showcase room
- Purchase a newer vehicle
Nelson Mandela said: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
We are standing at the cusp of an African-wide movement for STEM education for all children. I invite you to walk with us. Please consider donating here: https://bit.ly/3fNdv2Y
With gratitude,
Heather
CEO and Founder"
