STEM Volunteer Program in Tanzania

Bring the change by engaging in a life-changing experience

 

 

Do you have (οr you’re about to have) a degree in a STEM field?
Can you take a week off for something different and impactful?
If so, and you also have a passion for education, working with children and want to broaden your perspective and teaching experience by making a positive impact on the world, this is the perfect program for you! 

SciCo is joining forces with Wheeling2help and gives you the opportunity to gain new skills, meet new people, and use your free time to do something that will make the world a better place! Join us and become a volunteer at our new STEM Program in Tanzania, as a STEM Educator. 

 

What is it about?

Our vision is to equip young Africans with STEM emerging tools, real-world problem-solving skills that they need to excel in STEM pathways and become more experienced for Africa’s workforce. The program will include hands-on, engaging activities which will promote scientific and technological literacy and a positive attitude towards society and the environment. At the same time, its problem-solving and scientific methodology will cultivate their -and your as well- design-thinking ability. Through questioning, observation, ideation, experimentation, analytical thinking, synthesis, the students will become real problem solvers in any given situation.

SciCo will conduct extensive training sessions for you beforehand. Our highly qualified and experienced team members will guide you through the STEM world, in order to be prepared for any educational needs of the locals. SciCo’s expertise in STEM and persevering contribution to underserved communities has been proven through numerous programs in multiple regions. Together, we aim to support your development as an ideal volunteer and reinforce your knowledge, passion and potential. The training will be free of charge and we will provide you with any further support you need. The trip’s expenses amount to €550 per person, excluding travel expenses, but we have secured significantly decreased costs, in comparison to any respective trip.

 

Why is it important?

The program is aiming to mediate the STEM values, support and accelerate the shift of science education to student-centred, through the train-the-trainer approach. Providing local teachers with the necessary skills to effectively teach through hands-on activities, engaging and empowering them and the students, as well, we aim to activate the local communities, endowing them with the benefits of science and technology engagement, link learning and education to the environment and the world around us.

 

How does it work?

For the last 6 years Wheeling2help has been in Gongo village with MyQuest interaction trips and has been running projects aiming to educate students at Gongo through sports, cultural and environmental activities, to empower women through activities such as sewing and basket weaving, and to conserve the environment through tree planting, clean-ups, and reuse. 

This year, for the first time, SciCo will join Wheeling2help and MyQuest trips, and will enrich the education pillar by integrating STEM education. The next round of MyQuest trips is starting in November 2022, in four consecutive weeks, from mid-November to mid-December.

So here is the plan:

We are aiming to form a group of sixteen (16) STEM educators. Each participant will volunteer for one week. Each week four (4) educators out of the sixteen (16), will be joining MyQuest trips to implement the STEM program at Cosco village. The first group will assist the SciCo team to the “train-the-trainer” session with local educators of the area who will participate in the program and run it with their students. The next three groups will take over the significant role of “supporters”, being present and assisting in the classrooms, during the implementation of the program, ensuring that everything’s running smoothly.

The time periods that the respective groups will take their trip:

  1. November 10th - 20th
  2. November 17th - 27th
  3. November 24th - December 4th
  4. December 1st - 11th

Before all these and after the selection of the group, we will start with a get-together online meeting in order to meet each-other. The online meeting will be followed by the 2-day comprehensive training in Athens, Greece, as mentioned.

 

Accommodation & food conditions

All the volunteers will stay at the Miseni Retreat, the magical place that the organization SANA (Saving Africa's Nature) is temporarily hosted in. Our accommodation will be in tents and rooms for 2, 3 and 4 people, with shared toilets and showers, which will be enough for everyone. The food is basically vegetarian traditional African, not spicy at all.

There may not be the luxuries you are used to at home, but the whole setting is unique! The view and landscapes are enchanting, the people are extremely hospitable, and the purpose of the project is very essential.

 

​We are looking for you!

In order to fulfil our vision, we are looking for educators (teachers, students in Science faculties, etc.) that will help us cultivate youth into future problem-solvers, creative thinkers, world citizens, STEM experts, business leaders, and entrepreneurs.

All you need to join us is:

  • studies in STEM-related fields 
  • fluency in English Language
  • enthusiasm to learn 
  • passion about our mission

If you’re all in, send us an email at info@scico.gr with your CV and a motivational letter by September 18th and let us know why you want to join us! We will be happy to get back to you for further information in order to finally meet you and change the world together!