Selected
Teachers & Educators

Practical Education Network

Practical Education Network equips African STEM teachers to employ inquiry-based pedagogies in their classrooms, utilizing locally-available materials.

Team Leader
Heather Beem
Practical Education Network equips African STEM teachers to employ inquiry-based pedagogies in their classrooms, utilizing locally-available materials.

The Problem

In Ghana, STEM teachers often lack the resources needed to provide interactive learning experiences. Less than 10% of schools have any lab equipment, and less than 3% of STEM teachers attend relevant training. Instead, students are taught to memorize facts and regurgitate them on exams.

The Solution

The Practical Education Network (PEN) platform provides teachers with the training and materials needed to provide hands-on learning experiences to unleash their students' potential. PEN's teacher-training program is unique because it contains lesson materials that are relevant to teachers' local environments. PEN's teaching manuals contain hundreds of cleverly designed activities that use low-cost materials. These activities are aligned with the national curriculum, and PEN provides practical methods for teaching all required STEM subjects. PEN is also developing an app to engage and support teachers in their training program.

By empowering teachers, rather than bypassing them, PEN applies a sustainable and human capital-building approach to improving education.

Stats

Practical Education Network has trained 15,113 teachers through direct training, as well as its cascade training model.

What is the name of your organization?
Practical Education Network
What is the name of your solution?
Practical Education Network
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Practical Education Network equips African STEM teachers to employ inquiry-based pedagogies in their classrooms, utilizing locally-available materials.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
North Legon, Accra
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
—
What type of organization is your solution team?
Nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
—
What specific problem are you solving?
In Ghana, STEM teachers often lack the resources needed to provide interactive learning experiences. Less than 10% of schools have any lab equipment, and less than 3% of STEM teachers attend relevant training. Instead, students are taught to memorize facts and regurgitate them on exams.
What is your solution?
The Practical Education Network (PEN) platform provides teachers with the training and materials needed to provide hands-on learning experiences to unleash their students' potential. PEN's teacher-training program is unique because it contains lesson materials that are relevant to teachers' local environments. PEN's teaching manuals contain hundreds of cleverly designed activities that use low-cost materials. These activities are aligned with the national curriculum, and PEN provides practical methods for teaching all required STEM subjects. PEN is also developing an app to engage and support teachers in their training program. By empowering teachers, rather than bypassing them, PEN applies a sustainable and human capital-building approach to improving education.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
No info

Organization Type:
Nonprofit

Headquarters:
North Legon, Accra, Ghana

Stage:
Growth

Working In:
Ghana, Rwanda, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire

Solution Website:
https://www.practicaleducationnetwork.com

Solution Team:
Heather Beem
Heather Beem
CEO & Founder