The 2026 Ghana Science & Tech Explorer Challenge Prize (GSTEP) finalist teams have officially been inducted across the four participating regions, marking the start of the next phase of the STEM challenge. A total of 60 teams were inducted into the 2026 Challenge: 10 from Greater Accra Region, 16 from Eastern Region, 23 from Ashanti Region, and 11 from Volta Region.
The regional inductions took place in Greater Accra on 23rd February, Ashanti on 25th February, Eastern on 27th February, and Volta on 3rd March. In each region, finalist teams, together with their teachers, STEM coordinators, coaches, and mentors, were officially welcomed into the 2026 Challenge with sessions designed to equip participants and their facilitators with the skills and knowledge required to navigate the competition successfully and beyond.
During the inductions, teams engaged in practical sessions covering intellectual property, entrepreneurship, finance, budgeting, business planning, as well as marketing and communications. These sessions emphasized that building an innovation goes beyond creating a functional prototype. Participants learned about idea ownership, financial sustainability, and how to effectively communicate the problems their solutions aim to address.
Teachers, STEM coordinators, coaches, and mentors also participated in capacity-building sessions. They explored project management, emotional intelligence, and leadership strategies, equipping them with practical tools to support teams effectively while nurturing student confidence throughout the challenge.
Finalist students described the sessions as highly interactive, noting that workshops on communication and marketing will help them brand their innovations and clearly position their ideas with their target audiences.
Facilitators and STEM coordinators highlighted the broader impact of GSTEP on teaching and learning. Mr. Emmanuel Aggrey, a facilitator in 2025 and now a STEM coordinator for GSTEP 2026, emphasized that the program not only broadens students’ skills but also strengthens facilitators’ professional development. He believes GSTEP continues to shape the next generation of innovators by fostering both creativity and practical problem-solving.
GSTEP remains committed to developing well-rounded young innovators capable of designing solutions to community challenges and contributing to sustainable development.
