Defying Stereotypes, Encouraging Growth

In Kazakhstan, a remarkable initiative led by students from the Republican School of Physics and Mathematics seeks to redefine STEM education for girls. Sabina and Aidana, tenth graders with a passion for science and technology, received a boost of motivation and gained valuable experiences in creating a startup through their participation in Samsung Solve for Tomorrow.

Sabina and Aidana are the winners of 2021 Solve for Tomorrow Kazakhstan. The two were recognized for their idea of providing free STEM education for secondary school students. Recognizing that STEM education takes an interdisciplinary approach, the girls aimed to combine math and science subjects and create a cohesive learning experience that promotes comprehensive problem-solving skills.

Built upon their success, the girls continued their pursuit of education transformation. Project ‘STEM Sisters’ has now evolved into a fully-fledged startup that empowers girls across Kazakhstan.

From competition to innovation

Guided by experienced mentors throughout their Solve for Tomorrow journey, Sabina and Aidana honed valuable skills in problem analysis, task planning, result evaluation, and effective goal achievement. Their remarkable journey drew the attention of the Halyk Charitable Foundation, which awarded them additional financial support. With the resources at their disposal, Sabina and Aidana were ready to turn their brainchild, the STEM Sisters social project, into a reality.

STEM Sisters emerged as a vibrant community where high school students and even university students came together to support their peers. Through free lessons, these dedicated student mentors empowered girls from low-income families to enhance their knowledge of STEM subjects and English.

A sisterhood of knowledge

Through the programSTEM Sisters provides, girls aged 10 to 17 can access online tutoring classes with flexible schedules. Each course spans three months, with four streams offered each year. Annually, approximately 160 students participate in the program. Watching the first batch of the STEM Sisters students, the young entrepreneurs have been excited to see how the project boosted the students’ grades and, most importantly, confidence. The mentors at STEM Sisters are not just teachers but friends providing unwavering support and encouragement.

“Our main goal is to simply help every girl realize her potential,” said Sabina. Aidana added, “Many girls in Kazakhstan have avoided studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics due to gender-related misconceptions. We are determined to break these barriers. Through STEM sisters, we aim to grow together with our peers and pursue STEM to shape our future!”