On March 28, 2023, Canva Philippines and the Unilab Foundation (ULF) joined forces to bring “KoneKwentuhan with Canvanauts,” a virtual event aimed to motivate Grade 10 students to pursue a career in STEM and introduce them to the different STEM-related careers in Canva. Eight Canva mentors, also known as Canvanauts, shared their experiences and journey in using STEM skills in their work and encouraged the students to explore new opportunities. The mentors are experts in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Data Analysis, Social Media Management, Community Management, Production Management, and Learning Support, which require proficiency in certain STEM-related skills.
Under the STEMKonek Program of ULF and the Force for Good Program of Canva Philippines, KoneKwentuhan with Canvanauts is an excellent example of how the private sector and non-profit organizations can collaborate to empower and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders. STEMKonek is an online mentoring platform that has been providing mentoring sessions to students in the Philippines. The program's mission is to empower the next generation of STEM leaders by connecting them with industry experts and inspiring them to pursue careers in STEM, while improving their overall confidence. Meanwhile, the Canva Philippines’ Force for Good program aims to create a positive impact on the world through design. The program includes various initiatives such as offering free Canva subscriptions to non-profit organizations, supporting education and social welfare projects, and promoting sustainable practices. Under education support is the volunteer time of Canvanauts to mentor students in exploring opportunities in STEM.
The KoneKwentuhan with Canvanauts activity was attended by 86 students from President Diosdado Macapagal National High School from Taguig City. These students were divided into breakout rooms with their respective mentors. During the session, Canvanauts shared their personal journeys and experiences on applying STEM skills in their work. They discussed the importance of STEM education and encouraged the students to explore various opportunities that STEM can offer.
After the session, Jaira Magsumbol, one of the Grade 10 students, shared her feedback, "Thank you for giving us this kind of opportunity to experience the session. It really helps us and also motivates us. It gives us knowledge about the field or what career we might get when pursuing STEM." The positive feedback from participating students is a testament to the success of the activity in inspiring and motivating them towards pursuing STEM careers.
Canvanauts and student mentees were encouraged to continue their mentoring relationship in the STEMKonek Platform. To know more about STEMKonek, visit www.stemkonek.ph and Konek na tayo!