IEEE Women in Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University Student Branch
Ile-Ife, Nigeria, 2014, May 26
In order to make more girls and their teachers aware of and access the opportunities available for girls in the STEM industry, the IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) body of Obafemi Awolowo University organized a girl in ICT day event in collaboration with African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in English (ARCSSTE-E).
The one day event had 7 of the 12 invited schools present. Each school attended with a group of 10 participating girls alongside 2 of their ICT teachers.
The opening address was taken by the co-chair of WIE in person of Miss Oluwatobi G Oladiran, who enlightened the girls on the aims and objectives of the event, educated them on the challenges in the STEM field and the opportunities that abounds for them to harness.
A self-introduction session followed afterwards which was anchored by the GDG-OAU Women Organiser (Miss Moyinoluwa Adeyemi). The girls introduced themselves, emphasizing their future ambitions. She also briefly introduced herself and told her story of why she chose computer science to further encourage the girls.
The main speaker was Dr Omowumi Alabi , the director of space education ARCSSTE-E, OAU centre. She had a presentation on the topic "Having fun in your career while making impact in science and technology". She was able to make the students see how much fun she has in her job as a space scientist and educator, how she has been able to build a career from her passion, and how various opportunities have come her way while she was making a mark in STEM and ICT world. There was a question and answer session afterwards where the students and their teachers got to ask personal questions, which were all answered sufficiently.
A software exhibition session was held showcasing a 2D-game "Road Marshal" developed by a 3-woman indigenous team. The developers are Ms Adedayo Oluokun, Ms Oluwatomi Okuboyejo and Ms Oluyemisi Satope, finalists in the departments of computer science & Engrg, and Electrical & Electronic Engrg. The developers used this opportunity to share their experience and motivation for developing the game with the students. The students were allowed to play the game and have some fun. There was a quiz and puzzle session, where each school were told to solve a brick puzzle (provided by IEEE-WIE) and also answered some brain teasers during the quiz.
The program ended with a feedback session, where the students remarked that they have learnt something tangible. Two students indicated their newly found interest in computer science; another who wanted to be an architect earlier, said she is definitely going to do some game development with her architecture pursuit.
The program wrapped up with the presentation of gifts to the top schools in the quiz, souvenirs to all participants, snacks, and a photography and video session.
