Adventure, Robotics, and STEM!

I just came back from two weeks in Africa, specifically Uganda and Rwanda. It was a trip that combined so many of my passions: STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Advocacy, Robotics for Good, Adventure and Exploration, and Lifelong Learning.

A big reason for the trip was to see the amazing work being done by teams of students (Ugandan, American, European, and Australian) to fix medical equipment as part of the summer institute program through Engineering World Health.

EWH Director Megan Lavery and an EWH studentworking on an autoclave for sterilization.

I also met Gorilla Researcher Jennifer Verdolin (Dr. Jen!) and got to see her STEAM project in action at Iryaruvumba High School in Rubuguri. She and the students are collecting plastic waste from National Parks and are learning how to turn it into products for sale.

In the robotics for good category, I spent a couple hours at Zipline which uses drones to deliver medical supplies all over Rwanda (and beyond). I also met Ingabire Muziga Mamy the wonderful CEO of CHARIS UAS and heard about their use of drones to spot mosquito hotspots and then spray to reduce the incidence of Malaria.

Also in Rwanda, I visited the very powerful Kigali Genocide Memorial; the Nyamirambo women's center that provides education and vocational training to women; and Lake Kivu - known for its large methane reserves.

And along the way I went searching for the rare Shoebill Stork, on a gorilla trek, and biking with zebras. Here’s a link to my instagram reel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-oGPByx1k2/

Amazing Trip!!!