How the AFS Global STEM Accelerator program is actually accelerating the career of women

By Richa Parasher, AFS International Volunteer and Facilitator, and Sean Reilly, Director of Program Development, AFS Intercultural Programs.

STEM, STEAM and STREAM are the buzzwords of today’s scientific world. Being from the science background and curious to learn new things, the opportunity to become an AFS Global STEM facilitator was like icing on the cake for me. AFS Intercultural Programs is a global not-for-profit network that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. Through a suite of programs like the Global Competence Certificate (GCC), Global You Changemaker (GYC), Effect + (for educators), Global STEM Accelerator and STEM Academies, and the Student Learning Journey (SLJ), AFS develops active global citizens, who are environmentally conscious, make judicious use of resources and have values in their lives. AFS also offers mobility exchange programs which help learners across the globe to go on exchange programs and develop global competencies.

Women are underrepresented in the STEM fields, representing only about 28% of STEM professions, despite holding more than 50% of the degrees in the field. The AFS Global STEM Accelerator program, funded by bp (a global integrated energy company) is close to my heart as it not only encourages, but actively creates opportunities for, women to participate meaningfully in the STEM fields.

The Accelerator program is a 12-week all-virtual program focusing on emerging and critical STEM skills and fields, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, global competence education, Social innovation and social entrepreneurship, with practical skills to create social impact (codeveloped with the University of Pennsylvania Center for Social Impact Strategy (Penn CSIS)). Scholars enrich their STEM knowledge and skills through interactive, hands-on curriculum, while developing critical global competencies, including problem-solving, analytical skills, intercultural understanding, and the ability to build bridges across cultures.

The AFS GlobalSTEM accelerator program won Diversity Abroad’s Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion in International Education (EDIIE) Award in 2022, for the category of Outreach, Marketing & Recruitment. This prestigious award was presented to AFS at the Global Inclusion Conference in recognition of the AFS Global STEM Accelerators program, acknowledging strategic, thoughtful, and inclusive outreach practices to ensure young women and refugees gain equitable access to STEM and international education.

The program culminates with team projects and presentations that offer potential solutions to realworld challenges, with an emphasis on climate change and the energy transition. Scholars who complete the program earn the Advanced Certificate on Global Competence for Social Impact, awarded by AFS and the University of Pennsylvania Center for Social Impact Strategy.

Scholars who complete this course have not only the chance to become Entrepreneurs, they also develop intercultural values, soft skills like empathy, suspending judgment, and so on. Through these programs, these skills remain with them for life and help them to become better, more empathetic and positively impactful human beings.

During the program live facilitation sessions as facilitator, I personally have developed more acceptance in my life and I feel I am more empathetic. There were challenges faced by the young women participants, like someone experiencing bomb shelling in her locality, someone struggling with their gender identity, some do not have electricity, few do not have laptops or mobile phones, and AFS has extended the hand to provide tablets to the participants who could not afford to buy one. The one thing common in all was that all of them had spark in their eyes to learn and move forward in life. Indeed the team at international Mr. Sean Reilly: Director of Program Development, Brian Bright Musyoki: Consultant, Facilitator Coordination and Training, Saskia Kaya: Program Manager and the team of facilitators (all women, representing nine countries!) play a significant role in making this program a great success.

For more info please write to her: richaparashersharma@gmail.com kelseyrodriguez223@yahoo. https://Kels1320.scentsy.us