STEM Xposure
STEM Xposure
The mission was to expose high school students to STEM careers with emphasis on architecture and design. We did it in 6 countries, reaching over 500 students
The mission was to expose high school students to STEM careers with emphasis on architecture and design. We did it in 6 countries, reaching over 500 students
Overview
Overview
I designed the curriculum, secured the partnerships, and trained the instructors that brought architecture and design education to over 500 high school students across 6 countries.
As Lead Instructor and Curriculum Designer for STEM Xposure Inc., I built a two-week program from the ground up, recruiting 14 classmates as volunteer instructors.
I was part of the meetings negotiating free software partnership with SketchUp. I facilitated a design process that took students from brief to final presentation in under 80 hours of instruction time.
500+
We reached over 500 students in 3 consecutive years.
6
African countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Namibia.
14+
I helped STEM Xposure recruit 14 of my class mates as volunteer camp instructors.
Roles and Responsibilities
Roles and Responsibilities
Role
Role
Lead Instructor
Lead Instructor
Responsibilities
Curriculum design. Built the two-week program from scratch, designing each year around a focused brief within a four-hour-per-day constraint.
Instructor recruitment. Recruited and onboarded 14 classmates as volunteer instructors.
Partnership development. Secured a SketchUp license agreement that gave every student one year of free professional software access
Program delivery. Facilitated sessions across three consecutive years, adapting the curriculum for both domestic and international cohorts.
Curriculum design. Built the two-week program from scratch, designing each year around a focused brief within a four-hour-per-day constraint.
Instructor recruitment. Recruited and onboarded 14 classmates as volunteer instructors.
Partnership development. Secured a SketchUp license agreement that gave every student one year of free professional software access
Program delivery. Facilitated sessions across three consecutive years, adapting the curriculum for both domestic and international cohorts.
Key Partnerships
Key Partnerships
The program was built around the belief that exposure to real practitioners changes what students think is possible.
We secured partnerships with SketchUp, Tiny House Nation's Zack Giffin, and GPS pioneer Dr. Gladys B. West to connect students with the tools and figures shaping modern design and science.
The program was built around the belief that exposure to real practitioners changes what students think is possible.
We secured partnerships with SketchUp, Tiny House Nation's Zack Giffin, and GPS pioneer Dr. Gladys B. West to connect students with the tools and figures shaping modern design and science.
Dr. Gladys B. West, the mathematician whose algorithms became the foundation of modern GPS, served as an annual guest of honor and mentor. It was a privilege to meet her before her passing in January 2026. [Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons]
Zack Giffin the co-host of the A&E and Netflix series Tiny House Nation, and an advocate for sustainable design.
Zack opened and closed the camp as both a kickoff speaker and a final-day judge. [Photo courtesy of A&E]
Dr. Gladys B. West, the mathematician whose algorithms became the foundation of modern GPS, served as an annual guest of honor and mentor. It was a privilege to meet her before her passing in January 2026. [Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons]
Zack Giffin the co-host of the A&E and Netflix series Tiny House Nation, and an advocate for sustainable design.
Zack opened and closed the camp as both a kickoff speaker and a final-day judge. [Photo courtesy of A&E]
SketchUp is an industry standard 3D design and modeling used across architecture, interior design, and engineering.
SketchUp provided free professional licenses so students could prototype in the same tools used by working architects
SketchUp is an industry standard 3D design and modeling used across architecture, interior design, and engineering.
SketchUp provided free professional licenses so students could prototype in the same tools used by working architects
How We Produced Work
How We Produced Work
The design process covered all the 4 stages.
Each year, the camp had a focused design problem that defined the problem and that instructors elaborated to students.
The design process covered all the 4 stages.
Each year, the camp had a focused design problem that defined the problem and that instructors elaborated to students.
Ideation
The first 3 days of the camp were reserved for ideation. Students drew tiny sketches on paper and each came up with a unique feature for their tiny house.
The first 3 days of the camp were reserved for ideation. Students drew tiny sketches on paper and each came up with a unique feature for their tiny house.
Prototyping
Prototyping was done in SketchUp, guided by volunteer instructors. We implemented a hands-on practical learning approach due to limited time. Students learned software by designing the tiny houses.
Prototyping was done in SketchUp, guided by volunteer instructors. We implemented a hands-on practical learning approach due to limited time. Students learned software by designing the tiny houses.
Deliver
On the final day, students had to deliver their work to a panel of judges. We awarded best students and gave participation certificates to all students.
See exemplar work from one of my students:
On the final day, students had to deliver their work to a panel of judges. We awarded best students and gave participation certificates to all students.
See exemplar work from one of my students:
Reflection
Reflection
This was my first experience designing something that other people had to teach at this scale.
Designing a curriculum, or any project, is often different from executing it. I had to navigate delays, reschedules, and keep everything running smooth.
With four hours a day and students learning SketchUp for the first time while using it, curriculum design was very intentional. I had to be creative in balancing guest speeches and tutoring sessions within that window.
Since students were learning the software for the first time while using it, most of that time was dedicated to hands-on tutoring.
This was my first experience designing something that other people had to teach at this scale.
Designing a curriculum, or any project, is often different from executing it. I had to navigate delays, reschedules, and keep everything running smooth.
With four hours a day and students learning SketchUp for the first time while using it, curriculum design was very intentional. I had to be creative in balancing guest speeches and tutoring sessions within that window.
Since students were learning the software for the first time while using it, most of that time was dedicated to hands-on tutoring.
