Hidden Figures

16 Make The Right Choice African Science Academy founder and tech entrepreneur Tom Ilube CBE explains how the continent’s first girls-only STEM school helps its students reach their full potential

What is the premise of African Of all the African countries, why Science Academy (ASA)? did you choose to locate the ASA is a girls-only, Advanced campus in ? Level school for science and For several years, our maths, which opened in charity ran summer August 2016 in Tema, schools in East Africa Ghana. Funded by and West Africa. the African Gifted When we decided to Foundation, a UK- create our permanent registered charity school, we wanted founded in 2010, it is a to choose a location pre-university boarding that offered the ideal school for young environment for us. women with outstanding We decided on West Africa potential in science and first and then chose Ghana maths. ASA is a pathway to because of the importance that undergraduate study and future careers it places on education, the political in science, computing, engineering, and economic stability and the level of maths and many other subjects. Students welcome and support that we received attend from across Africa and are for our plans. We have not regretted our admitted after their senior secondary decision for a moment! education, in preparation for progression to the best universities in Africa and Why did you decide to focus on around the world. We are able to offer full educating girls? scholarships to all of our students. It is so important that we provide opportunities for girls, particularly those Can you explain what inspired you to with a passion for science, so it was set up the school? an easy decision to focus on them. My I have a passion for education and love vision is that over time we will unleash science and maths. I wanted to create a hundreds of extremely talented young unique and special institution for young African women scientists on the continent African women who share my passion and the world, and I think they will have for these subjects. In my career of over a distinct focus on how to tackle the Exceptional: students 30 years, I have seen the impact that continent’s challenges. I can’t wait to see complete A Levels in less than a year technology can have on the world, and what they will go on to achieve. how it can open doors for your career. (above right) ASA founder I wanted to open doors for other young How vital is the study of science, Tom Ilube people so that they can go on and have technology, engineering and maths an amazing impact on their communities (STEM) to Africa’s future? Hidden Figures and country, on Africa and on the world. STEM studies are the bedrock subjects

The Ghana Good Schools Guide 2019/20 17 WHO CAN APPLY High-achieving female students of the 21st century. Africa must take be a leader in shaping sit the internationally- from across Africa interested in its place at the top table in terms of the future through careers in STEM. ASA is strongly recognised Cambridge technology talent. The future of the technology and academic and selects students International A continent depends on success in this science. who they believe will flourish Levels at the end of domain and there is huge potential to in their intellectual our intense, one-year achieve exponential change through Is it true the girls have environment. programme. In fact, our technology and science. Think of the to complete A Levels in students arrive in August impact that the invention of the internet one year? and sit their exams the has had! The internet has changed All of the young women who following May, so it’s ten months everything. The next big thing will be come to ASA will study three core from start to finish! Artificial Intelligence (AI) and that will subjects – Maths, Further Maths and change everything again. I want Africa to Physics – at Advanced Level. They will What does ASA offer students that other schools may not? ASA offers students a world class ASA APPLICATION PROCESS education. Our cohort is small, just 25 girls each year, so we are able to give each student individual attention. ASA is fully equipped and the students Application ESSENTIALS Recent exam results are given laptops with WiFi from the start. We have all the physics lab Apply through the online portal 6 high school equipment that we need, but it’s not or download forms from the African report cards Gifted website www.africangifted.org just the academic side that makes ASA Teacher special. Our extra-curricular programme Pick up a form from an ASA volunteer recommendation 1 is outstanding, with a strong focus on creative problem-solving and excellent communication skills. Activities include Entrance Exams KEEP IN MIND Exams consist of: community service, robotics, sports, Selected applicants will sit entrance Maths aptitude tests exams in their home countries and Physics aptitude test regions under the supervision of ASA voulunteers Essay – the topic will Applicants are expected to submit be communicated 2 essays on the exam day before the exam day

Interviews INTERVIEW TYPES Face-to-face with Shortlisted applicants are Ghanaian students interviewed by the ASA team in Video interviews with order to know more about them applicants from other African countries 3 Big names: Every week ASA attracts high profile people like Sir Lenny Henry to its guest speaker programme

18 Make The Right Choice There is no other school quite like ASA in Africa, and in fact, we believe, anywhere in the world debating, choir and board games. There is a host of clubs started and run by students themselves. Our guest speaker programme ensures that every week, students enjoy interactive lectures with leading experts from Africa, UK, USA and around the world. We also organise trips to enrich students’ learning and we have run a successful exchange programme with St Paul’s Girls’ School in London. HOW MANY What else makes GIRLS ACCEPTED? Girl Power: Pupils get a world class education and make friends for life it unique? It is a highly competitive process The school is and hundreds of candiates designed for young apply every year. Currently the There is no other you watch them introducing themselves African women who Academy accepts 26 girls from school quite like ASA to some of the most powerful people are truly gifted in the all over Africa. At least 50% are in African and in fact, in society, that is when you realise the field of science and Ghanaian students. we believe, anywhere in difference that ASA makes to these young technology. So far, we the world. women in such a short space of time. have accepted students from Ghana, , , Are there any highlights that What are your plans for , , , Kenya, you are particularly the school’s future? Zimbabwe, Togo and Zambia. proud of? To grow in size, but we are very careful. All students have access to full My highlights have been the girls We prioritise quality over quantity. scholarships. Our students have gone themselves. The results after just one It is far more important to us to get on to universities across the world, year have been amazing. Take our Class excellent results and find exciting and including across Africa, the UK and the of 2018 for example. They achieved 100% inspiring pathways for our young women USA, many on full scholarships provided pass rate for their A Levels with 79% of than to increase numbers. We want to by those institutions. the grades being A*-B, and 27% of the be seen as Africa’s premier science and We have an exceptional leadership team, students achieving an A*. 100% of the maths school for girls and we want to guided by headteacher Mrs Efua Adabie. Class of 2018 received university offers deliver a world class education and A scientist by training, she has many with 95% of them receiving scholarship experience to the select group of years’ experience teaching in both the offers. But beyond these incredible students that have the privilege of UK and Ghana, and is supported by a results, when you meet ASA girls, when spending a life-changing year at the wonderful, dedicated staff. you hear them speak and debate, when African Science Academy.

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