Written by: Celestine Ng,
2024 PGA Recipient, Young Adult,
Communications Committee

On 21st February 2025, we excitedly launched the KLA Badge under the STEM Changemakers programme.

The STEM Changemakers programme, a ground breaking collaboration between the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and the KLA Foundation, is set to empower girls across the Asia-Pacific region with vital STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills. This 2.5-year initiative brings together three key Member Organisations in the region – Girl Guides Singapore, Girl Guides Association Malaysia, and Girl Scouts of Taiwan – to inspire and equip girls aged 11 to 17 to become the STEM leaders of tomorrow.

The STEM Changemakers programme is more than just a series of STEM activities, it is about building confidence, promoting gender equality, and equip girls with essential skills for leadership, project management, and teamwork. The programme aims to engage girls in non-formal education, utilising WAGGGS’ customized STEM activities to inspire young girls to explore and excel in the world of STEM. Central to the programme’s goals is the empowerment of girls by highlighting successful women in STEM and reinforcing the role of Girl Guides Singapore in STEM education.

Incorporating WAGGGS’ Leadership Mindsets into the curriculum will further develop the leadership potential of the participants, nurturing their ability to make a real-world impact in their communities and beyond.

The programme’s impact will unfold over several phases: In the first year, the focus will be on co-creating a STEM curriculum that is both girl-led and locally relevant. Through collaboration with the Member Organisations, the programme will ensure that the curriculum reflects the unique needs and interests of girls across the Asia-Pacific region. The aim is to integrate engaging STEM activities that also advocate for gender equality in these fields.

In the second year, the programme will shift focus to training Senior Adult Volunteer Facilitators, who will then cascade their knowledge to Young Adults and Adult Leaders. This phase will involve an 18-month rollout to reach 800 Girl Guides, ensuring that the programme has a sustainable impact and continues to engage future generations of girls.

Looking ahead, the programme also plans to expand its reach through Campfire, WAGGGS’ virtual learning platform, making the content available in all WAGGGS official languages. This expansion will ensure broader accessibility and support for girls globally.

This programme is designed to have a lasting effect. GGS has committed to training over 50 Young Adults and Leaders, involving 800 Girl Guides, and impacting over 1,600 lives. This effort underscores the importance of sustained engagement and long-term empowerment for girls in STEM.

To mark the official launch of the STEM Changemakers programme, we were honored to welcome Mr Ray Chua, Senior Director of Human Resources at KLA Singapore, to deliver an inspiring speech. Following his address, the stage was set for a symbolic and exciting moment in the programme’s launch.

In a fitting tribute to the power of STEM, three volcanoes were set up on stage. As part of a live demonstration, our guests – including Ms. Candela Gonzalez, Chair of the WAGGGS World Board, Mrs. Koh-Teh Yi Wen, Chief Commissioner of Girl Guides Singapore,
and Ms. Jane Lum, Senior Manager, Human Resources at KLA Foundation – activated the volcanoes by pouring vinegar into them, triggering an eruption. This demonstration, representing an acid-base reaction between vinegar and baking soda, symbolized the explosive potential of girls in STEM, sparking curiosity, fueling innovation, and encouraging the breaking of barriers.

The eruption marked the beginning of a new chapter for these young changemakers, igniting their passion for discovery and learning.

The evening also marked the launch of the Siemens Energy-WAGGGS Girls for Green Energy (G4GE) Programme. We were honored to have Ms Amy Long, a representative from Siemens Energy, deliver an inspiring speech on female empowerment within her corporation and beyond, particularly in the STEM sector.

As these two programmes unfold, it is clear that the future of STEM is bright, powered by the curiosity, innovation, and leadership of girls. Each small step in this programme is a giant leap toward a more inclusive and dynamic future in STEM, where girls and women are at the forefront of ground breaking discoveries.

We invite everyone to be part of this movement. Explore, innovate, lead, and shape a brighter future in STEM. Every great idea begins with curiosity, and every breakthrough begins with a single step. Let’s continue to inspire and empower the next generation of STEM leaders!