Rwanda - The first-ever WiSci Girls STEAM Camp begins tomorrow, July 25, at the Gashora Girls Academy in Rwanda. The camp is a public-private partnership designed to advance and expand Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) opportunities for girls.

The program will empower participants with the knowledge and skillset to enhance their competitiveness during a time of rapid technological development, by providing them with access to high-tech resources, like-minded peers, business connections, and inspiring mentors.

Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Catherine Russell will travel to Rwanda for the opening ceremony of the camp, and will be joined by Ambassador to Rwanda Erica Barks-Ruggles and Rwandan Minister of Education Dr. Papias Musafiri.

Over the next three weeks, approximately 120 girls from the United States and eight African countries will take part in a challenging, hands-on curriculum taught by industry professionals on computer science, robotics, entrepreneurship, and design. Participants will partake in cultural exchanges, develop their own projects, and build leadership and entrepreneurial skills. After the camp, the participants will have access to mentorship and continued opportunities for support and professional development.

This first-of-its-kind program is organized by the U.S. Department of State, Microsoft 4Afrika, Intel, AOL Charitable Foundation, the United Nations Foundation’s Girl Up campaign, and the Rwanda Girls Initiative, with support from Meridian International Center, the Rwandan Ministry of Education, the African Leadership Academy, and the Global Entrepreneurship Network. Additional programmatic support was contributed by UNESCO, HeHe Labs, and Indego Africa.