Today’s youth need skills in STEM, innovation, and collaboration across cultures. The World Smarts STEM Challenge (WSSC) is a virtual exchange program that supports STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education in the United States and Ghana. High school students from the Washington, D.C. metro area and secondary school students from across Ghana come together virtually to solve global issues in their communities with STEM solutions. 

The  program  improves STEM skills, strengthens cross-cultural communication, and develops global competence while enhancing students’ enthusiasm and commitment to STEM learning and careers. IREX will partner with North Carolina State University to research how global competence and virtual exchange can expand access to STEM education.

• Increase student interest and engagement in STEM and information communication technology and STEM and information communication technology careers over time. 
• Increase digital literacy, cross-cultural communication, and global competence in students.
• Build enduring connections between students  and teachers in the U.S. and Ghana. 
• Prepare students for a dynamic and changing workforce through virtual project-based learning.

• Hybrid Mentor Training: Selected mentors and  teachers will attend a hybrid virtual and in-person training session in the DC area and Accra, Ghana where they will learn about the 10-week challenge modules and how to implement them. Mentor applications will be opening soon.
• 10-Week Binational Virtual STEM Challenge: Binational teams of High school students from across schools in the DC metro area and Ghana will develop a STEM solution to a global challenge from the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Virtual WSSC Global Expo: WSSC teams from across Ghana and the Washington, D.C. metro area will share their STEM prototypes through a video pitch and concept paper for industry professionals.
• Community engagement: WSSC teams will collaborate with researchers and staff to share lessons learned about STEM education and virtual exchange to deepen program impact.

The World Smarts STEM Challenge includes high school and secondary school students in the Washington, D.C. metro area and across Ghana. Mentors and teachers can apply to lead a World Smarts STEM Challenge team.

• "Science-Loving Teens from Ghana And DC Geek Out Together" (NPR)
• "DC, Ghanaian Students Team Up for STEM Challenge, Water Solution" (Washington Times)
• "Reimagining the Science Fair" (Education Week)
• "Elmina School Makes Ghana Proud as Joint-Winners of Global STEM Competition" (GhanaWeb)
• Interview with Accra Academy and My Joy TV
• WINNESEC Students Contest in STEM Challenge (Graphic Online)
• Winneba Secondary School Students Place Second in International Science Competition (Ghana News Agency)

The World Smarts STEM Challenge is funded by the National Science Foundation and is part of the Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers applied research program. WSSC is implemented by IREX with partnership from North Carolina State University and Karen Peterman Consulting. 

worldsmarts@irex.org