US Organization to Support Young Engineers Stem Education Work

In a bid to promote STEM education work at Young Engineers Uganda, a US organization has visited our offices for collaboration engagements.

Last week, Catherine Wills, head of Backroads Philanthropy Organization, visited Young Engineers Uganda offices to support the Soroti Municipal SS Team’s preparation and training for the upcoming 2025 Vex Championship.

The Soroti team is one of the teams that won Vex Robotics in the 2024 Uganda National STEM and Vex Robotics Championship that was held at the National ICT Hub, Nakawa on 29 November 2024.

The Championship was hosted by African School of Innovation Science and Technology (ASIST) Ltd- a STEM and Robotics Organization in Uganda that runs the Young Engineers Uganda program.

Backroads Philanthropy Organization, based in Seattle, Washington, is dedicated to empowering girls from remote villages through STEM education scholarships. The organization’s mission aligns with Young Engineers Uganda’s goal of providing STEM education to students in Uganda.

During her visit, Catherine Wills was impressed by the work being done at Young Engineers Uganda. She appreciated the program’s efforts in providing STEM education to students, particularly girls, and expressed her commitment to supporting the cause.

As part of her visit, Catherine Wills conducted a training session with the Soroti Team, who are preparing for the Vex Championship. The team, comprised of students from remote villages, has been working tirelessly to design and build robots for the competition.

Catherine Wills also brought gifts for the team, including T-shirts, to show her appreciation for their hard work and dedication. Her visit served as a morale booster for the team, who are eager to represent Uganda in the Vex Championship.

The partnership between Backroads Philanthropy Organization and Young Engineers Uganda is a testament to the power of collaboration in promoting STEM education. By working together, both organizations aim to create a more equitable society where girls from remote villages have access to quality STEM education.

The visit by Catherine Wills has reinvigorated the team’s spirit, and they are now more determined than ever to excel in the Vex Championship. As they prepare to represent Uganda on the global stage, they are grateful for the support of Backroads Philanthropy Organization and Young Engineers Uganda.

The African School of Innovations Science and Technology (ASIST) Ltd is Uganda’s STEM and Robotics education organization. It was founded in 2016 by journalist Arinaitwe Rugyendo to nurture the next Generation of Scientists, Innovators, problem solvers, Entrepreneurs, and Critical thinkers through its flagship program- The Young Engineers Uganda.

ASIST Ltd, a premier education enhancement program, has since focused on promoting STEM education skills in over 30 Ugandan schools, driving innovations and technological education to over 6000 children shaping and preparing them for the future workforce.

Through their flagship brand Young Engineers Uganda, they have been instrumental in pioneering STEM programs across schools, promoting robotics, engineering, and digital literacy from an early age. The programme has become a premier flagship initiative, providing students with the tools to compete in international arenas such as the VEX Robotics Championship.

The VEX World Robotics Championship is an annual global robotics competition in Dallas, USA. Students from over 40 countries showcase their robotics skills in problem-solving challenges. The competition provides a platform for students to apply STEM concepts in real-world scenarios, encouraging innovation, creativity, and collaboration among participants.