Rotary’s STEM project to support school children in Ukraine

Rotary clubs in Kew, Kyiv and Kharkiv have been working in partnership to assist the education of Ukrainian children. This year, they launched a STEM project to help rebuild Ukraine.

The charity’s first project for schools in Ukraine, launched in January 2023 and raised £100,000 to help Ukrainian children whose schooling has been disrupted by damaged schools and long-distance learning due of electricity cuts and missile alerts. The donations have supplied over 100 laptops, storage batteries to three schools to provide electricity during power shortages, and other educational items including a manikin for practicing artificial respiration and a colour printer. This project is ongoing, with logistics handled by Rotary UK and a Rotarian in Kyiv.

Recently, a member of Rotary Kew Gardens visited 12 schools in Kharkiv, Kyiv and western Kiev. During their two-week stay, they inspected the donated items and developed plans for future donations.

Rotary’s new STEM project

This year, Rotary Kew Gardens launched a new project to help the education of children in Ukraine. The charity decided to start rebuilding Ukraine via the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education of secondary pupils, initially at one school and then expanding to others.

The charity has reviewed the available laboratory and engineering equipment at the first school and is planning to acquire further top-quality equipment to support this school in achieving outstanding STEM education in biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. The objective is to nurture future engineers and entrepreneurs to help rebuild Ukraine.

This project is unique, and Rotarians do all their work pro bono, so 100% of all donations are committed to the project. The charity is now raising another £50,000 for 3D printers at some schools, and will equip one school with STEM educational items to achieve outstanding results. If you would like to make a donation, visit Rotary's Crowdfunder page.