#STEM Careers Campaign: Identifying the Problem

Over the last decade, several African countries has gained the world’s attention as emerging innovation hubs. We have seen technologies like M-Pesa, Mellowcabs electric minicabs and Saavyloo pedal-operated waterless toilets, created by STEM entrepreneurs to address some of the real challenges faced on the continent. To maintain this trend, there is a need, across the continent, for greater emphasis on hands-on STEM education that bridges the gap between theory, entrepreneurship and STEM innovation.

Additionally, given the realities of global warming, natural resource depletion, energy crises, and environmental degradation, it is critical that STEM solutions to development challenges are sustainable. Innovations should not only create greater efficiencies to produce financial gains or simplify and improve our lives, but must also reduce and/or reverse environmental impacts, so future generations can continue to adequately provide for their needs.

GE has excelled as a leader in this arena of sustainable innovation through its “Ecomagination” strategy. It has committed to investing in cleaner technology and business innovation, developing solutions to enable economic growth while avoiding emissions and reducing water consumption. It is also developing strategic partnerships to solve some of the toughest environmental challenges at scale to create a cleaner, faster, smarter tomorrow.

Challenge

In a GE survey of 1000 senior executives about the state and perception of innovation, 65% of them indicated that innovation is driven more by schools and universities, than by access to patent protection, private investment or government support.

Criteria

The solution can be a product, gadget, an app, programming language or any other medium andit must:

·         Address an identified issue within the local context that threatens sustainability

·         Have a design that incorporates STEM theories or knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship

·         Have a unique name that communicates what the technology or solution is

·         Be customized for the general youth population or a specific segment of the youth population

·         Be user friendly and accessible

·         Embody GE’s “Ecomagination” strategy and the idea of“ Thriving in Harmony with Nature”

·         Encourage sustainable behaviors/practices

·         Be implementable and sustainable in the real world within the next decade