we believe in
Empowerment.
Giving a community of girls the tools they need in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math to become innovators, and change-makers in a male-dominated world.
What we do:
The SciGirls camp in Amman-Jordan, is an annual two-week summer program of interactive, hands-on immersion in Robotics, Basic Electrical & Electronics Circuits, Math & Chess, and Formula 1 in Schools. Soccer, Swimming and Mural/Canvas Painting enrich the overall SciGirls experience.
The ultimate objective is to empower participating girls to pursue their education and future careers in the fields of STEM. We believe that it is crucial for every girl to have the opportunity to explore a field of knowledge which tends to be male dominated, in this part of the world.
SciGirls has become a platform for an ever expanding group of empowered underprivileged young scientists to exchange ideas, learn new skills, support, spread knowledge, create and innovate everyday together and in their respective communities.
Our Goal
Our strategic goal is to make SciGirls an annual summer camp for disadvantaged girls from all over Jordan, and to expand the initiative to other countries in the Middle East.
2014
strategic partnership
SciGirls 2014 was organized in collaboration with UNRWA Jordan and the Jubilee Center for Excellence in Education.
2013
raised 42,000 Jordanian dinars (approximately $65,000)
In 2013, SciGirls forged a strategic partnership with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to design and implement innovative STEM Education for students from UNRWA schools.
2011
two-week camp for 44 talented girls
SciGirls 2011 STEM summer camp took place in collaboration with the Jubilee Center for Excellence in Education (JCEE) and the Ruwwad NGO in Jabal Al-Nathif, Amman.
Daily Programs
Math & Chess
In association with Echecs et Math: Teaching Math through Chess strategies.
Electronics
Interactive introduction to basic Electrical & Electronics Circuits and their components. The participants will be provided with the relevant electronic circuits and boards.
Formula 1
In partnership with the international nonprofit "Formula 1 in Schools". An innovative and hands-on introduction to Engineering
Team Sports
Soccer with National Team of Jordan Master Coach. Swimming with Master Coach and Lifeguards
Robotics
In partnership with the international First Lego League (FLL): Through interactive hands-on workshops,the participants will learn how to design, build and program their own robots in order to perform specific missions. Each participant will be provided with the required robotics kits and software.
Art
Wall mural & Canvas painting taught by renowned artists. Emphasis on collaborative teamwork.
Our Robotics Programs
It all started in 2011 with ElectroGirls. Electrogirls is an all-girl robotics team from Jabal Al- Nathif. Based at Ruwwad NGO, the team was launched in 2010 by Yara Sifri, is mentored by Ms. Noura Awad, and proctored by Ms. Amani Sahouri.
The team was initially funded by a grant from Motorola provided by the Jubliee Center for Excellence in Education (JCEE), under the directorship of Mr. Ismail Yasein.
ElectroGirls has successfully participated in the First Lego League (FLL) Competition in Amman/Jordan and the Arab Robotics Championship. In 2012, ElectroGirls placed 22 out of 65 teams in the Arab Regional Competition.
In 2013, ElectroGirls catapulted to winning first place nationally for the 'Best Project', with their unique design of a robotic walker for seniors.
As of now, the program has grown to include 100 participants.
Continuity..
Each group of SciGirls to go through the summer program are encouraged to form groups in order to begin their own robotics and Formula 1 racing teams in their respective communities upon their return. These initiatives are funded by SciGirls and ensure continued learning, innovating and opportunities to compete and fine-tune skills year round!
From the participants:
"SciGirls built up my self-confidence and made me fall in love with science. At school, I have become much stronger in science and physics. I have become much more organized with my time and I acquired new skills in robotics programming." -Hala
"I made new friendships and learned that perseverence is important for winning" -Raghd
"I find joy in learning new things about building and programming a robot and in competing to win." -Lina
Our Partners
Private Donors
Mr. Ali Kolaghassi | Mr. Waddah Barkawi | Ms. Rasha Manna | Mrs. Taima Khoury-Kawar | Mr. Rami Malhas
We’d love to hear from you!
For any questions on how to get involved please contact: Sci.Girls.Empowered@gmail.com
A few participants ..
In the News..
(CNN) -- A science camp set up by a teenager is helping disadvantaged girls in Jordan gain confidence to aim for a university education.
The two-week SciGirls -- for 44 talented 12-15-year-olds from the Jabal Al-Natheef district of Amman -- has been set up by 17-year-old Palestinian Canadian, Yara Sifri.
READ MORE
(United Nations Relief and Works Agency)
https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/features/bringing-stem-unrwa-girls
(The National Association of Independent Schools)
http://www.nais.org/Magazines-Newsletters/ISMagazine/Pages/The-Change-Makers.aspx
CHANGEMAKERS: They are everywhere: young people who refuse the narrow label of “student.” Of course, they take care of schoolwork, but they also look outside of themselves and see a world full of need — and they want to help. Here are short profiles of adolescents — students, athletes, musicians, community activists, inventors, scientists, and all-around caring people — who have earned the label of “changemakers.” This is just a small representation of the young changemakers in schools. We offer these 12 profiles in honor of all the young people engaged in their communities — and with the hope that more will take up the mantle.
(Ruwwad NGO - Annual Report)
https://ruwwad.ngo/sites/default/files/2017-04/AnnualReport-2011-English.pdf
Yara Sifri is a 17 year old Jordanian – American student who started an initiative to help
girls of Jabal Al-Natheef to learn science
in an innovative way.