STEM Awareness & Capacity Building
At YARD-Liberia, Inc., STEM Awareness & Capacity Building is a strategic focus area. We believe science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are engines of opportunity for Liberia’s young people unlocking pathways to innovation, jobs, resilient communities, and inclusive national development. Our STEM work combines hands-on learning, skills development, exposure to digital technologies, and regional collaboration so that youth and staff alike gain the competencies needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
What we do
- Outreach & Awareness: We introduce students and youth groups to STEM careers through school visits, interactive demonstrations, and career talks that demystify science and technology and inspire curiosity.
- Skills & Capacity Building: Our programmes offer practical, applied training — from foundational science experiments to digital skills, problem-solving challenges, and basic engineering concepts designed to build confidence and employability.
- Teacher & Staff Support: We invest in continuous professional development for educators and staff so they can deliver quality STEM learning in community settings.
- Partnerships & Regional Learning: YARD-Liberia connects learners and staff with regional centres of excellence, networks, and events to broaden exposure and bring best practices home.
Impact
Impact
YARD-Liberia, Inc. actively builds internal capacity so our programming reflects the latest in digital safety, governance, and technical practice:
- 2023 — Digital Security & Safety (Ghana): Three YARD-Liberia staff completed a capacity-building course in Digital Security & Safety organized by the West Africa Society Institute (Ghana), strengthening our ability to protect program data, train beneficiaries on online safety, and design safer digital activities.
- 2024 — Orange Digital Center training: In 2024, two staff members received specialized skills development at an Orange Digital Center, enhancing our practical training delivery and digital mentorship for youth.
- October 2024 — Mano River Union Internet Governance Forum (Freetown): YARD-Liberia sponsored staff attendance at the Mano River Union Internet Governance Forum in Freetown, Sierra Leone an important regional forum where our team engaged with peers on internet governance, policy, and youth digital rights.
- And more: These activities are part of a broader programme of workshops, regional exchanges, and technical trainings that continuously improve our STEM and digital programming.
- Youth reached: STEM outreach and workshops in schools and community centres, sparking interest in science and technology across Margibi and neighbouring communities.
- Staff strengthened: Multiple targeted regional trainings (2023–2024) that boosted our technical competence in digital safety, program delivery, and internet governance engagement.
- Programs improved: Stronger curricula and safer, more effective digital learning experiences as a result of staff professional development.
- Regional networks: Active participation in West African training and governance forums that raise YARD-Liberia’s profile and bring back knowledge to benefit local learners.
Building STEM awareness and capacity is an investment in Liberia’s future workforce. When young people gain practical science and digital skills and when educators and staff are themselves well trained communities gain resilient, tech-capable leaders who can design local solutions, access new livelihoods, and participate confidently in national and regional economies.
