The 2026 Ghana Science & Tech Explorer Challenge Prize (GSTEP) has officially launched under the theme “Curiosity to Impact: STEM Without Borders,” announcing its expansion into the Volta Region - a major step toward making practical STEM education accessible to more students across Ghana.

The virtual launch, hosted via Zoom and streamed live on Facebook, brought together teachers, students, and STEM stakeholders. This year’s Challenge builds on the successes of previous editions held in the Greater Accra, Eastern, and Ashanti Regions, which have seen over 30,000 students, 2,000 teachers and 500 schools benefit from hands-on STEM experiences.

In her welcome address, Afua Oforiwaa Asiamah Adjei, Executive Director of the DreamOval Foundation, said, “For the very first time, the GSTEP Challenge expands to the Volta Region, making it possible for even more young innovators to be part of this life-changing journey.

This expansion brings us closer to our vision of making GSTEP a truly national platform where every child, no matter where they come from, can access the opportunities and skills that STEM education provides.”

Constance Agyeman, founder of GSTEP, reflected on the programme’s progress and its growing national impact. “From 2021 to 2025, GSTEP has inspired thousands of students to explore science and technology as tools for real-world problem-solving,” she said.

“Last year alone, over 1,000 innovative ideas were submitted by students who used STEM to address local challenges — from clean energy and sustainable farming to smart city innovations.”

Delivering the keynote address, Francis Ahene-Affoh, Lead for Partnership & Alliance at Partnership Bureau, noted that “Over the years, we have witnessed incredible solutions and inventions from technology that improves innovations that support agriculture, aquaculture, road traffic management, education, and climate resilience. These ideas prove that given the right platform, our young junior high students are capable of transforming curiosity into real impact.”

This year’s challenge is implemented by a consortium of four organisations: DreamOval Foundation (lead implementor), Partnership Bureau (partnerships and sponsorships), Shulem Lake (resources and materials), and Practical Education Network (mentorship and coaching).

The GSTEP Challenge operates in partnership with the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education and is funded by the Fondation Botnar.

Applications for the 2026 GSTEP Challenge are open to junior high schools in Greater Accra, Eastern, Ashanti, and Volta Regions.

Visit www.gstep.org.gh to apply.