STEM Spark: Coastal Girls Cultivate Curiosity in Khulna Camp
A two-day “STEM Camp” was recently held in Khulna to inspire secondary school students from coastal regions to pursue science and technology education. The event was organized under the STEM and ICT Skills for the Girls of Coastal Area (SISGCA) project, implemented by Bangladesh Open Source Network (BdOSN) with the support of the Malala Fund and supervision of the Bangladesh Freedom Foundation.
The camp brought together 30 students and 4 teachers from Jhunjhuniya Secondary School and Uddipan Badr-Samchu Bidyaniketan of Rampal Upazila, as well as Kazdia Government High School and Pithabhog DGC Secondary School of Rupsha Upazila. Its primary goal was to encourage girls from coastal areas to engage more deeply with science and technology, boost their self-confidence, and nurture creative thinking through digital skills.
On the first day, students participated in various hands-on science experiments, learning about the production of carbon dioxide, the reflection and refraction of light, and how prisms alter the direction of light. They also verified Archimedes’ Principle and studied the contributions of notable scientists. In the afternoon, participants attended practical robotics sessions, practiced Scratch programming, and used telescopes to observe the night sky, gaining insight into stars and constellations.
On the second day, the students went on an educational visit to Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), where they toured several departments and laboratories, including the Department of Mechatronics.
Professor Dr. Helal An Nahian, Head of the Department of Mechatronics, remarked during an interactive session, “Such initiatives will empower girls from coastal regions with confidence and open up a science- and technology-driven future for them.”
In the same session, female students from KUET representing coastal areas shared their own experiences, inspiring the visiting schoolgirls to pursue higher education and careers in STEM fields.
Samira Sultana Ritu, a student of Jhunjhuniya Secondary School, said, “Seeing the sisters at KUET inspired me — I believe one day we will also have the opportunity to study at such a prestigious institution.”
Organizers stated that under the SISGCA project, more STEM camps will be arranged for girls in coastal regions to expand their access to science and technology education.
