Registration for the 2026 Ghana Science and Tech Explorer Prize (GSTEP) Challenge has been extended to Sunday, November 10, 2025, giving more Junior High School students across the country the opportunity to participate in this year’s competition.

The extension follows growing interest from schools eager to join the nationwide initiative that promotes innovation and problem-solving through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

GSTEP, a flagship programme funded by Fondation Botnar and implemented by a consortium of Ghanaian organisations, including DreamOval Foundation, Partnership Bureau, Shulem Lake, and the Practical Education Network (PEN), aims to inspire young “STEMpreneurs” to develop solutions to real-life challenges in their communities.

The year’s challenge builds on the momentum of the 2025 GSTEP National Finals, which saw Team Technocrafts Innowear from Services Primary and JHS in the Greater Accra Region crowned as national champions.

Their winning innovation, Innowear, a smart protective vest  was inspired by a team member’s kidnapping ordeal and designed to help reduce child abductions in Ghana.

First runner-up honours went to Team SCI-G from the Eastern Region, while Team Eco-Fuel Agenda from the Ashanti Region took third place.

The competition continues to attract national attention, with support from the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service, and major sponsors including AngloGold Ashanti, Fidelity Bank, GOIL, Joy Prime of The Multimedia Group Limited, and Special Ice Company.

Students and schools interested in joining the challenge can visit the official GSTEP website to register before the November 10 deadline.

A strong foundation: what the 2025 edition achieved

Over 30,000 students have been reached by the competition since its inception, with hundreds of prototypes developed addressing real-life challenges in areas such as waste recycling, traffic safety and smart agriculture. 

In 2025, finalists from Greater Accra, Eastern and Ashanti Regions showcased their innovations at the Exhibition & Awards ceremony held at the National Theatre in Accra. 

As part of efforts to deepen impact, GSTEP invested in STEM-resources for three basic schools in Obuasi, equipping them with laptops, robotics kits and 3D printers. 

From its early years, GSTEP’s organisers have emphasised the twin goals of innovation and employment: helping students not only invent solutions but also think of the business potential behind them. 

Why this matters

The 2026 edition builds on momentum: by expanding into the Volta Region and inviting more Junior High teams across these four regions, GSTEP hopes to widen access to hands-on STEM learning. The competition’s model of pairing technical development with mentorship and business training aims to stimulate a new wave of young Ghanaian innovators who can both solve local challenges and generate meaningful outcomes.

How to apply

Schools that wish to participate should visit the official GSTEP website (www.gstep.org.gh) to download the application form and register their team before the 10th November, 2026 deadline. Only online applications will be accepted. 

As GSTEP enters its next phase, it offers yet another opportunity for Ghana’s young minds to turn curiosity into real impact, one prototype at a time.