STEM4Girls: Supporting girls in STEM in the Zhytomyr region

Education

Ukraine

Timeframe 02.03.2026-29.10.2027 Aktiivne

Target group 13-17-aastased tüdrukud

Budget 205 150 EUR

Funders

ESTDEV

Partners

Praktikal Education OÜ

Ukraine’s education system and labor market face a critical mismatch that systematically diverts female talent away from STEM fields. According to a Ukrainian media assessment of university admissions data from 2022-2024, a significant trend has emerged, with girls with top math scores disproportionately choosing humanities and philology degrees over technical majors. This “leaky pipeline” is fueled by deeply rooted societal stereotypes that continue to categorize STEM as a male domain. Ukraine presents a unique “educational paradox”: women make up the majority of higher education graduates, but remain significantly underrepresented in the technical fields that currently drive the economy. As of 2024, according to UNDP statistics, women will make up just 14% of all STEM graduates.

To address these challenges, the project introduces a hands-on, girl-centered STEM model that shifts learning from rote learning to an interactive, action-based approach. The project uses chemistry as an entry point because it naturally relates to everyday life and allows girls to relate scientific concepts to familiar situations. Hands-on chemistry experiments using common materials help make STEM tangible, fun, and confidence-building, while demonstrating how scientific knowledge can solve real-world problems and contribute to society.

Project objectives

The project aims to empower girls aged 13-17 in the Zhytomyr region by building a sustainable, girls-focused STEM education ecosystem.

Actions and results

Through a competitive open call, the project will select 7 STEM hubs and strengthen their institutional capacity to deliver inclusive, high-quality extracurricular STEM programming for girls, with chemistry as an accessible entry point that links science to everyday life through hands-on experimentation.

The project will equip each selected hub with reusable Praktikal chemistry kits and train 12-14 educators through an offline ToT bootcamp led by Estonian and Ukrainian experts. They will deliver structured 5-month STEM Clubs for 100+ girls, followed by mentor-led activities and soft skills development, connecting girls with female STEM role models.

The girls program will culminate in a STEM Challenge Lab, where girls will apply their skills to solve real-world cases and pitch solutions during an offline Demo Day.

Story

Estonia-led training programme reaches 50,000 law enforcement officers in Ukraine

To strengthen Ukraine's internal security and support reforms, leaders from the Estonian police force shared practical knowledge and experience on managing a modern law enforcement system.

News

Ireland pledges 1 million euros to support ESTDEV’s healthcare projects in Ukraine

During an official visit to Estonia, Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee and Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna signed a joint declaration of intent to strengthen support for Ukraine.

Story

3,000 Ukrainian prison officers to benefit from updated training materials developed by Estonian experts

The handbook and curriculum for prison officers, developed under the guidance of Estonian colleagues, support the modernization and development of prison education in Ukraine.