In 2011, USAID partnered with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education to establish Egypt’s first magnet high schools for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The success of these schools and the STEM education model garnered national endorsement from the Ministry and drove the decision to take STEM education to scale. USAID supported the Ministry as it opened 14 additional STEM schools across the country, with plans to open four additional schools in time for the 2020/21 academic year. USAID’s current programming for STEM education ensures the quality and sustainability of the STEM school model.

STEM TEACHER EDUCATION AND SCHOOL STRENGTHENING 

USAID’s STEM Teacher Education and School Strengthening Activity develops the specialized cadre of instructors and administrators to teach and lead STEM high schools nationwide. In partnership with U.S. universities, the activity is launching a four-year STEM undergraduate teaching degree program at five Egyptian public universities so that future teachers receive the coursework and experience to be effective STEM classroom instructors. The activity also introduced a one-year diploma for teachers and school leaders to specialize in STEM education. To further institutionalize the STEM model in Egypt, USAID’s STEM Teacher Education and School Strengthening Activity builds the capacity of the Ministry of Education and Technical Education. The activity supports in-service training for teachers and administrators, strengthens STEM administrative units, and prepares the Ministry to implement its STEM education expansion plan. Implementing Partner: 21PSTEM; Life of Project: April 2018 – April 2023; Total Estimated Cost: $24.27 million; Governorates: Nationwide 

FABRICATION LABORATORIES FOR STEM SCHOOLS

This activity, known locally as FabLabs, supports the quality of STEM education by establishing science and technology laboratories in STEM schools. It provides equipment to the schools and offers training in supply maintenance and equipment use. Implementing Partner: Transcentury Services; Life of Project: December 2017 – June 2021; Total Estimated Cost: $4.47 million; Governorates: Beni Suef, Fayoum, Menoufia, Minya, Qena, Qaloubiya, Sharqia, Sohag