About Us
Who we are
The P-STEM Foundation is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) engagement organisation working in historically disadvantaged communities. We focus on creating awareness of, sparking interest in, changing perceptions of and developing skills in STEM. With Southern Africa’s high youth unemployment and a growing demand for STEM skills we exist to channel youth into STEM opportunities successfully.
Why we exist
Southern Africa is confronting high youth unemployment issues, coupled with a growing skills shortage. Skilled positions, predominately in fields with a STEM involvement, remain unfilled for long periods of time. The P-STEM Foundation strives to redress that by channelling & supporting at risk youth into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) education and careers. Changing the unjustified perception that STEM is for exclusive individuals. STEM can be Fun, Relatable and attainable by anybody.
What we do
P-STEM focuses on the following:
- Increasing the familiarity and interest to a wide variety of STEM careers, in communities and schools, particularly in the historically disadvantaged communities of Southern Africa.
- Redressing negative perceptions regarding STEM in disadvantaged communities.
- Supporting grass root organisations in communities that are promoting STEM and supporting STEM education.
- Increasing the visibility and forecasting of STEM education and career opportunities.
Community Engagement
STEM Community Engagment Model
The way we engage in our communities follows a 4 step plan, detailed below
Step 1: STEM School Talks
STEM School Talk is a 20 minutes activity that we run during assembly to create awareness of what STEM is, what are the opportunities in STEM and how STEM is a basic skill for most careers going forward. We also like to introduce to the school our STEM School challenge.
Step 2: STEM Community Day
The SCD is a mini science and tech fair held in a community and focuses on building interest in STEM. The community day is free to all community members and fun experiments, demos, competitions and quizzes are run throughout the day to engage with members of the community in STEM. We also demonstrate the importance of STEM through showcasing STEM work at different corporate and entrepreneur stands
Step 3: After Schools Programs
ASP’s are clubs or camps run after schools or during school holidays in a community focusing on developing learner’s skills and confidence in STEM, thus preparing them for a future in the STEM fields. The ASP’s are free and include but not limited to fun experiments, demos and projects run to encourage learners to engage in problem solving, exploring and building activities
Step 4: Monitoring & Evaluation
Communities We Operate In:
| Community | Province | CBO | Years Active |
| Empangeni | KwaZulu -Natal | We live to learn, Sifundela ukuphila | 2015- Present |
| Soweto | Gauteng | Tsogang Sechaba Community Project | 2013- Present |
| Diepsloot | Gauteng | Rhiza Babuyile | 2016- Present |
| Boitekong | North West | Boitekong Progressive Youth | 2016- Present |
| Alexandra | Gauteng | Rays of Hope | 2013- Present |
| Tshaulu | Limpopo | LGAMC | 2015- Present |
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