As part of Oracle Academy’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in tech fields, it recently sponsored the 2024 Ameri-STEAM Girls Bootcamp in Côte d’Ivoire, held from August 2–30, 2024. The bootcamp brought together 70 young girls between ages 13–20 from various towns including Abidjan, Adiake, Assouinde, Kong, Mohame, Samo, Soubre, Tiapoum, Yaou, and Yamoussoukro.

The goal of the bootcamp was to educate, inspire and empower girls so they may overcome barriers that often discourage female participation in STEM fields. The program’s objectives included exposing participants to STEAM career options, fostering hands-on and distance learning, building confidence, and providing mentorship.

Oracle Academy was pivotal in providing free educational resources essential to this endeavor. The girls had access to platforms including Java Fundamentals, Alice, and Greenfoot, enabling them to create 3D animations that addressed real-world problems affecting their communities. The goal was to equip them not just with coding skills but also with the tools to align their technical knowledge with future career opportunities.

This year’s bootcamp emphasized both technical proficiency and career planning. Each participant created a personal vision board outlining both short- and long-term professional aspirations. They then worked with mentors to break down these goals into actionable steps with specific timelines. For instance, one participant from the rural region of Kong set a goal to become a software developer specializing in health-tech solutions. Her one-year plan involved enrolling in online coding courses (using Oracle Academy resources), participating in local hackathons, and applying for internships with tech startups. Her four-year plan included completing a degree in computer science and launching a prototype for a maternal health app. Her six-year plan aimed at securing a leadership role within a tech company or starting her own business.

The bootcamp featured distinguished guest speakers who provided insights into STEAM fields and career growth via video conference. The speakers emphasized the importance of planning and execution in achieving professional goals. The bootcamp concluded with a mentorship session led by Bekere Amassoma, Oracle Academy Program Manager, SSA, and Aboubacar Coulibaly, Director of Technologies and Information Systems, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and African Integration and Diaspora of Côte d’Ivoire, who shared words of wisdom with the participants.

“Oracle Academy is dedicated to advancing technology education by providing resources like Alice and Greenfoot for free. I’m delighted to be here with you today. Our focus on diversity and inclusion aims to encourage more girls to join the STEM sector because we recognize the significant gender gap in the tech industry. This is why we support programs like Ameri-STEAM – to train and empower more girls like you. I see that some of your mentors are former campers, and this is exactly what we want: breaking stereotypes and creating a cycle where you come back next year as mentors, inspiring even more girls to pursue STEM. Stay focused, resilient, and persevere.”

 

Message from Bekere Amassoma:

At  the end of the bootcamp, participants expressed their gratitude to Oracle Academy and the Ameri-STEAM Program, affirming their newfound confidence, empowerment, and increased interest in STEAM fields.

Sylvie TANFLOTIEN, Founder, Ameri-STEAM, said, “As organizers, we are deeply grateful to Oracle Academy for their continuous support. This collaboration has empowered young girls across Côte d’Ivoire to dream bigger and work diligently toward realizing their professional aspirations. We look forward to an increase and expansion of this partnership to impact even more young women in the future.”

Link to publication: https://ameri-steam.org/files/Oracle%20Academy%20Report%20Updated%20V.%209-13.pdf