Female Engineers Inspire Schoolgirls To Pursue STEM Careers In Bayelsa

To encourage more girls to consider careers in science and engineering, members of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Bayelsa State Chapter and the Young Engineers Forum of Nigeria (YeFoN), Yenagoa Branch, have launched a STEM awareness campaign in schools in the state capital.

The outreach held at Government Secondary School, Igbogene and Community Primary School, Biogbolo, was organised to mark the global event known as Introduce a Girl to STEM Day.

During the visit, female engineers interacted with the students and introduced them to opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The initiative was coordinated by the chairman of APWEN Bayelsa, Amalate Ann-Jonathan Obuebite, in collaboration with the YeFoN Yenagoa Branch led by Iki Otonye.

Beyond classroom discussions, the engineers also engaged the students in practical activities aimed at helping them understand engineering in everyday life.

Students participated in simple civil engineering demonstrations such as mixing cement slurry and installing road signs within the school environment.

Speaking during the event, Obuebite said the sensitisation programme was designed to expose young girls to engineering and inspire them to see it as a possible career path.

According to her, the activity also included a demonstration on road safety, adding that the team also installed road signs within the school premises to encourage safe road practices among students and motorists around the school.

She explained that before the practical sessions, the engineers held interactive discussions with the students to help them understand how engineering works in real life and urged them, especially girls, to remain confident in pursuing careers in science and engineering fields.

She said: “During the event, the students were taught the basic concepts of civil engineering as they took part in the mixing of the cement slurry for the road sign installation.

“We also used the opportunity to teach the girls how to paint Zebra crossings. Also, road signs were installed within the school premises to promote pedestrian safety and reinforce a responsible road-use culture among students and motorists.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to safety, awareness, and empowering young minds to see STEM not as an abstract concept but as a pathway to leadership, innovation, and national development. Together, let’s create impacts that are visible, practical, and lasting.”