In our workshops, we utilize local materials and content aligned to the national curriculum to holistically equip STEM teachers to facilitate hands-on, inquiry-based lessons.
APPROACH
We host teacher training workshops to explore hands-on STEM activities that use low-cost, locally available materials.
A lack in material resources often leave teachers feeling limited to using traditional approaches. PEN empowers teachers around the world to engage their students in hands-on science projects. We train teachers in executing these activities within the structure of traditional education programs.
Our material blends constructivist learning with design training to allow participants to discover key concepts and harness them to engage in projects relevant to their daily lives.
PEN has a special emphasis on the challenges of STEM education in the developing world – large class sizes, scarce material resources, and the novelty of interactive pedagogies.
We employ a teach-the-teachers business model, leveraging our partners' networks to reach scale.
Since 2014, we have been running workshops around Ghana with our local partners.We have been growing in numbers and reach each year!
TEAM
Heather Beem
CEO & Founder
Heather completed her PhD at MIT in Mechanical Engineering, where she co-founded MIT's D-Lab: Education class. She also teaches engineering at Ashesi University.
Joseph Quaye Amoo
Operations Manager
Quaye oversees the day to day running of PEN operations in STEM education. He is a passionate child and youth development activist.
Desmond Asamoah
Partnerships & Resource Mobilisation Manager
Desmond builds thriving collaborations with STEM stakeholders in Ghana and beyond. He holds an MA in Global Development and Social Justice from St. John’s University, New York.
Margaret Dzakpasu
Finance & Admin. Manager
Margaret holds an MBA in Finance from Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), and a Bachelor's Degree in Education (B.Ed. Social Sciences) from University of Cape Coast. In the past, Margaret has had extensive experience working on USAID projects, from January 2003 to February 2018.
Fredrick Opoku
Logistics Officer
Fredrick manages PEN's logistics to ensure the smooth running of all operations. He is a Marine Science grad from University of Ghana.
Nancy Ewurum
Communications & Marketing Officer
Nancy brings PEN's work to life in the eyes of our stakeholders, communicating our work and impact widely.
Cory Sagerstrom
Development & Mission Engagement Assistant
Cory works to advance PEN’s message and help the team reach its fundraising goals through cultivating and maintaining relationships with partners. He is passionate about nonprofit work and the power of education to change lives.
Yue Liu
Development Assistant
Yue creates fundraising strategies and builds dashboards to engage donors for PEN. She is experienced in research on international development of education and dedicated to effective and sustainable teaching.
Liping Yang
Mission Engagement
Liping completed her Master in International Educational Development at Columbia University, and is actively engaged in fundraising and different missions.
Mawuena Asem Hanson
Research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer
Mawuena monitors and evaluates all projects and interventions at PEN. Mawuena holds a masters degree in Global Health from Karolinska Institutet, Sweden and a BSc in Nutrition and Food Science from University of Ghana, Legon.
Settor Safo
Multimedia Officer
Settor is an experienced filmmaker with a demonstrated history of working in the television and advertising industry. With a background in Fine Arts in Film and Television production, he designs, creates and manages all multimedia assets at PEN in training, teaching and learning the PEN way.
Master Trainers
Emmanuel Ocquaye
District Science Coordinator, Ga East District
Emmanuel is an enthusiastic practical teacher and commands a refined skill in guiding teachers through practical activities. He also serves as National Secretary for GAST.
Saddik Mohammed
District Science Coordinator, Weija-Gbawe District
Saddik is the Chair of Curriculum for GAST, and he was previously awarded Best Science Teacher in Greater Accra Region. He brings a wealth of teacher training experience.
Dr. Thomas Tagoe
Lecturer, University of Ghana
PhD (Neuroscience)
Thomas completed his PhD in Neuroscience and is a passionate STEM advocate, having co-founded GhScientific.
Selase Dorledzi
Teacher, Zenu KKMA JHS Ashaiman
Selase was one of the first batch of teachers PEN trained, and she has since skyrocketed into a star practical science teacher.
Rejoyce Akoto
Teacher, Asofan M/A 1 JHS
Rejoyce trains and encourage teacher colleagues in her circuit on hands-on science methods through the accessibility and affordability of local materials.
Simon Dzamenu
Teacher, Kofi Kwei M/A Basic School
Simon's motivation in training teachers on hands-on science practicals has been the rate of change in pupils' understanding through practical activities.
Michael Nyarku
Master Trainer, PEN
Michael completed his Masters in Petroleum Geoscience and is passionate about empowering fellow Ghanaians with STEM skills that will position them to be relevant in the industry.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Elsie Effah Kaufman
Senior Lecturer,
University of Ghana &
NSMQ Quiz Mistress
Dr Kaufmann is a strong advocate of STEM and leading voice and figure in STEM education in Ghana. She serves as the NSMQ Quiz Mistress and has led the growth of Biomedical Engineering in Ghana.
Dr. Gordon Adomdza
Associate Professor,
Ashesi University
Dr Adomdza is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at Ashesi University and has spearheaded a design thinking movement in Ghana. He leads PEN in testing business models and developing organizational growth strategies.
Dr. Heather Beem
CEO & Founder
Heather completed her PhD at MIT in Mechanical Engineering, where she co-founded MIT's D-Lab: Education class. She also teaches engineering at Ashesi University.
Saddik Mohammed
District Science Coordinator, Weija-Gbawe District
Saddik is the Chair of Curriculum for GAST, and he was previously awarded Best Science Teacher in Greater Accra Region. He brings a wealth of teacher training experience.
MENTORS
Lucy Quist
Business Leader, STEM Advocate
