Bright Futures
JET Tech
Challenge
In Enugu State, Nigeria, unreliable electricity affects everyday life, including children’s ability to study after sunset. According to a 2024 government survey, nearly 28% of households surveyed in Enugu were not connected to the national electricity grid. Even among connected households, power outages can interrupt homework, reading, and other daily activities.
At school, many students in under-resourced communities also have limited opportunities to put STEM education into practice, with few resources to explore engineering, electronics, and renewable energy beyond textbooks. Students need both reliable tools to support their education and opportunities to develop the skills to create solutions themselves.
Solution
Co-designed by Technology Exchange Lab (TEL) and JET Tech, the Smart Green Schools Program brings hands-on STEM education to schools in Enugu State. Students learn by building their own solar-powered reading lights, developing practical skills while creating a technology they can use at home during power outages. The program focuses on three main activities:
- Hands-on STEM Education: Students assemble and test solar-powered reading lights, learning engineering, electronics, renewable energy, and problem-solving through practical experience.
- Teacher Training and Learning Resources: Teachers receive training and adaptable educational materials to integrate hands-on STEM activities into everyday learning and introduce additional technologies over time.
- Community-Led Sustainability: The program aims to train local women to assemble and sell solar kits, creating income opportunities and supporting a model that can grow beyond the initial pilot.
