The 2025 Ghana Science & Tech Explorer Challenge Prize (GSTEP) Homecoming has successfully concluded after a celebratory tour across three regions to honour and equip schools whose teams excelled in this year’s Challenge.
From 24th September to 6th November 2025, the GSTEP Secretariat visited 27 winning schools across districts in Greater Accra, Eastern, and Ashanti Regions, including Ga South, Weija Gbawe, Ablekuma West, Ningo-Prampram, Krowor, Tema West, Tema Metro, Old Tafo, Sekyere South, Akrofuom, Obuasi, Asante Akim Central, Juaben East, Ahafo Ano South East, Oforikrom, Bosomtwe, Abuakwa South, Suhum, Abuakwa North, and New Juaben South & North.
At each school, students, teachers, parents, and community leaders gathered to celebrate the young innovators whose creativity and problem-solving skills distinguished them in the 2025 GSTEP Challenge. The visits reaffirmed GSTEP’s growing footprint in improving STEM interest, academic performance, and confidence among Ghanaian junior high school learners.
Headteachers shared powerful testimonies of transformation.
According to Emmanuel Bagut, Headteacher of Ayikuma Memorial M/A Basic School:
“GSTEP has made an enormous impact in this school. Since its inception, we had never recorded an Aggregate 9, but after joining GSTEP in 2022, two of our students achieved it this year. Others scored 10, 12, and 14, and gained admission into top schools like PRESEC, Prempeh College, and Adisadel. Many of our students once feared Mathematics and Science, but GSTEP has changed that. Their confidence has grown, and academic performance has transformed.”
To strengthen hands-on STEM education, GSTEP presented each winning school with a comprehensive suite of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics tools aligned with Ghana’s science curriculum.
Schools received laboratory essentials including microscopes, pH meters, test tubes, conical flasks, thermometers, Petri dishes, measuring cylinders, funnels, burettes, tongs, wash bottles, and triple-beam balances. Laboratory reagents such as iodine, Benedict’s solution, Millon’s reagent, copper(II) sulphate, hydrochloric acid, and others will enable students to conduct real scientific investigations.
To advance digital skills, materials included laptops, all-in-one computers, projectors, 3D printer filament, jump wires, LED sets, servo motors, and motor drivers, enabling students to explore robotics, coding, and digital innovation.
To deepen practical problem-solving, schools received soldering kits, robotics sets, multimeters, hand drills, Arduino UNO kits, Raspberry Pi kits, toolkits, and sensor modules for hardware-based innovation.
Mathematical sets, geometry tools, graph books, measuring devices, puzzles, and art sheets will support visualization, model-building, and analytical thinking.
The 2025 Homecoming reaffirmed GSTEP’s mission: to nurture curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking among students while strengthening school-based STEM ecosystems. By equipping schools with tools, GSTEP ensures that innovation continues long after the Challenge has ended.
Speaking at the final Homecoming stop, Afua Oforiwaa Asiamah-Adjei, Executive Director of DreamOval Foundation, noted:
“This past year, we saw some of the best innovations, students, and schools. The semi-finalist stage pushed participants to ideate, create, and stretch their abilities. As we expand to the Volta
Region in 2026, we look forward to bringing GSTEP to more young people across Ghana. Join us on this journey as we continue shaping tomorrow’s innovators.”
The 2026 GSTEP Challenge promises another impactful year as the programme expands to the Volta Region, strengthening its mission to make STEM accessible and practical for all. junior high school students across Greater Accra, Eastern, Ashanti, and Volta Regions will design STEM-powered solutions to local challenges under the theme “Curiosity to Impact: STEM Without Borders”.
With broader regional inclusion, increased school participation, and strengthened STEM ecosystems, GSTEP continues to play a critical role in shaping Ghana’s next generation of innovators and community problem-solvers.
The 2026 GSTEP challenge is implemented by a consortium of four organisations: DreamOval Foundation (lead implementor), Partnership Bureau (partnerships and sponsorships), Shulem Lake (resources and materials), and Practical Education Network (mentorship and coaching).
The GSTEP Challenge operates in partnership with the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education and is funded by the Fondation Botnar.
Source: ameyawdebrah.com/
