Practical Education Network

Practical Education Network Working with Ghana Education Service to develop low-cost, hands-on activities for classrooms. PEN is composed of MIT students and alumni on three continents.

PEN empowers teachers around the world to engage their students in hands-on science within the structure of traditional education programs.Teacher training for local capacity building is PEN's foundation. We are piloting additional initiatives on top of that to build out a thriving network of educators and students. Our awards include the Global Villages Challenge in the 2011 MIT IDEAS competition

, the 2012 IEEE/IBM SmarterPlanet Curriculum Competition, and the 2015 MIT Sloan Africa Business Competition. Over the last five years, we have collaborated with Peace Corps Volunteers in Tanzania to prototype solar energy curriculum kits – the original versions were prototyped in Boston schools, organized high school science fairs in Ghana, and started an MIT class (D-Lab: Education).

29/05/2026

As first-timers in the GSTEP Challenge, the teams in the Volta Region have embarked on their own unique journey of problem-solving, innovation, and practical, hands-on learning.
This team from Wuxor MA Basic School in Akatsi South came up with an idea to improve coconut harvesting by providing a safer, electronic method for farmers to use. From this project, the individual team members are also discovering the solutions they want to build after the challenge – automation in poultry farming, STEM advocacy among their peers and many more.

Behind each successful GSTEP team is a dedicated group of mentors, coaches and facilitators who teach them hands-on STEM concepts and skills, sharpen their business acumen and motivate them to dream big. They are in it purely for the passion, showing up every day to give these students their all. For mentors and coaches, this is the opportunity they did not have as young children, and so they find GSTEP a wonderful avenue to give back - to be the giants on whose shoulders these students can stand and see even further.

This is what GSTEP is about - a whole community coming together to nurture, support, mentor, and coach the future generations of problem solvers today.

Israel Oriaku and Seth Atinyi, we salute you! Thank you for your hard work and unwavering support!

Ghana Science & Tech Explorer Prize Ghana Education Service

18/05/2026

In this segment, our CEO & Founder, Heather Beem, reflects on PEN’s journey from to and the ongoing work to strengthen hands-on learning in classrooms across the country.

We are grateful for the continued partnership and support of UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization Liberia and the in advancing this shared vision.
The increasing adoption of hands-on learning in classrooms across Liberia reflects a promising future for education in .

Join our to expand hands-on learning in classrooms across Africa.
Support PEN's work here: https://lnkd.in/dzgr-QCH
Partner with PEN here: https://lnkd.in/d8ZjtquG

Liberia, and the

15/05/2026

The GSTEP Exemplar Series!

What do you do when you put in so much effort and your prototype just … doesn’t work?
Team Precious has an answer for you - do research, share ideas, work together as a team and don’t give up, because failure is a part of success!

These amazing young innovators have been guided, coached, counseled and encouraged by a solid team of dedicated educators. One of them, Daniel Etrue, the winner of the GSTEP 2025 Best Coach award, teaches his learners with the tried-and-proven hands-on, practical pedagogy. Though he is building their STEM skills in coding (using Python) and electronics, he is also teaching them important soft skills like confidence, problem-solving and resilience, very evident in the way they express themselves.

Etrue’s passion for impacting young learners is palpable; beyond the competition, he wants his learners to truly understand and love STEM so that they can achieve their future aspirations.
It’s safe to say that long after GSTEP these students will be building incredible solutions to any problems they encounter.

To Simeon Makafui Nutsuklo (mentor) and Harry Kwaw Taylor (facilitator) we say Ayekoo! Great job raising such resilient future leaders!

13/05/2026

At the heart of lasting education change are teachers who are empowered to experiment, adapt, and inspire curiosity in their learners.

The teachers who participated in PEN’s training in Liberia shared how their experiences and the practical approaches they were equipped with are transforming the way they engage with learners in the classroom.

11/05/2026

In many African classrooms, students struggle with science and math not because they lack potential, but because they have limited opportunities to experience practical, hands-on learning.

This documentary highlights reflections from the “Capacity Building for National Basic Education School Teachers in STEM – Liberia” project implemented by PEN in partnership with UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization-Liberia, and the of Education Liberia.

As teachers continue to play a critical role in shaping learning outcomes, growing efforts to strengthen STEM teaching through hands-on approaches and improved learning environments are helping shift the narrative toward more engaging and practical STEM education.

Watch the full documentary here: https://youtu.be/WjJ41aaOtbI?si=RHmcwkWW_da3vMul

08/05/2026

The GSTEP Exemplar Series!

From a bright‑eyed STEM student at Bosomtwe Girls SHS to a passionate STEM champion in the GSTEP challenge!

In this episode, we shine the spotlight on Christabel Jatoe Mgnisombu, an incredible young woman who now coaches three teams in the GSTEP Finalist stage. She was once taught and mentored by Mr. Nakoja Pamba Francis, a PEN‑trained teacher under a different project. Today, the work she does proves that practical, hands-on STEM teaching can determine the trajectory of a student’s career and produce exceptional results.

Her passion is palpable and infectious. One of her students said: "Christabel told me that my background cannot limit my future." That heartwarming testimony shows that the seeds of possibility have been sown in our young innovators’ hearts and they are ready to create the future today!

Now, Christabel's students dream of becoming software engineers, problem-solvers and change‑makers. One student caught the flame and kept it burning – and she has successfully passed the torch to the next generation.
Thanks to the other facilitators, coaches and mentors who together have formed a solid team guiding these students: Frimpong Kwame Manso, Francis Akuoko, Richard Osei and Sandra Jubin. You’re doing amazing work!

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PEN wishes all learners sitting for the BECE exams in Ghana this week the very best in their papers. You’ve got this! ...
04/05/2026

PEN wishes all learners sitting for the BECE exams in Ghana this week the very best in their papers.

You’ve got this!

30/04/2026

The GSTEP Exemplar Series 01!

These from Swift Academy in Asokwa, Region, are a shining example of the incredible impact hands-on STEM education has on young learners. Their project is a , hydroponics farm with pH, EC, temperature, humidity, water level, light sensors and disease detection. It also automatically adjusts water, nutrients and lighting.

Not only have they grown more confident and eloquent as the challenge has progressed, but they’ve also built a solid grasp of technical STEM concepts through the prototype development process. There’s truly nothing like practical, hands‑on learning to strengthen the foundation of STEM knowledge and transform learners into innovative problem‑solvers.

Kudos to their technical coach, Afrifa Mensah Yeboah, their business mentor, Erica Adjoa Appiah, and their amazing teacher, Adu Gyamfi.
We’re so proud of you all!

Want to see more student‑led innovations? Stay tuned for even more exciting stories in our GSTEP Exemplar Series!



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Org Chart Update! During our CEO’s recent sabbatical, PEN continued to evolve, with long-standing team members stepping ...
08/04/2026

Org Chart Update!

During our CEO’s recent sabbatical, PEN continued to evolve, with long-standing team members stepping into higher roles, leading to the introduction of our first-ever Country Director position in Ghana.

This shift towards local leadership enables our CEO to fully transition into a true CEO role, focused on building external relations and driving expansion opportunities.

We’re proud of these changes and excited for what this means for our next phase of growth.

Join us this Friday, April 10th at 12 PM EST / 4 PM GMT for an interactive Zoom session to meet the team leading the charge in Ghana.
Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Gobn434gTV2mZbKYn5_s1A #/registration

PEN is hiring a reliable and safety-conscious Driver to support our operations in Ghana.If you have experience, professi...
08/04/2026

PEN is hiring a reliable and safety-conscious Driver to support our operations in Ghana.

If you have experience, professionalism, and a strong sense of responsibility, we’d love to hear from you.
Access the full job description and apply here: https://www.practicaleducationnetwork.com/careers

Deadline: April 22, 2026
Know someone who fits this role? Share this opportunity with them.

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