Stage of Innovation: Prototype (You have a working physical product)

Problem: Research has shown that women are far less likely to graduate with a STEM degree or enter a career in STEM compared to their male counterparts. The Association of Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), has described worrisome the percentage of women and girls in science-related courses and professions saying Nigeria as a country has not achieved gender equality in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). A substantial gender gap in engineering (16% women) and computer occupations (26% women) also contributes to women's overall underrepresentation in STEM. There are several STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) problems that girls face, including: Lack of representation: Girls often lack representation in STEM fields, both in educational settings and in the workforce. This lack of representation can lead to a lack of role models and a sense of isolation, which can discourage girls from pursuing STEM careers. Gender bias: Girls often face gender bias in STEM education and careers. This can manifest in subtle ways, such as teachers and professors assuming that girls are less interested or less capable in STEM subjects, or in more overt ways, such as being excluded from team projects or facing harassment or discrimination in the workplace. Stereotypes: Girls may also face stereotypes about what kinds of careers are appropriate for them. These stereotypes can be reinforced by parents, peers, and media messages, and can limit girls' aspirations and opportunities in STEM fields. Lack of resources: Girls may have less access to resources and opportunities that can help them excel in STEM, such as mentors, role models, and hands-on experiences.

Unique Selling Point: There are EdTech solution providers in Lagos State and Nigeria at large that have used their solutions to enhance the learning outcomes of students and teachers. For example, Edukoya provides all Joint Admission and Matriculation Examination-JAMB and the West African Examination Council-WAEC past questions on the go through their mobile platform. Some others provide innovative classroom equipment, educational software, online learning platforms, and other resources to enhance learning. We cannot dispute the fact that these solutions have had significant positive impacts on learners but Blue Sands Academy’s Tech Fingers solution is different from them in the following ways: Innovative features: Blue Sands Academy’s Tech Fingers addresses specific pain points and challenges in the education industry. Our Tech Fingers Online Courses and Virtual Labs include features such as personalized learning paths, adaptive assessments, interactive simulations, and virtual reality experiences that provide a differentiated learning experience for students. User-friendly interface: Tech Fingers has a user-friendly interface and is easy to navigate. Teachers, students, and administrators can easily access and use the platform without encountering unnecessary complexity or barriers like some other solutions present. Our Tech Fingers platform has an Intuitive design, clear instructions, and a visually appealing interface that can enhance the user experience and these make our solution stand out. Customization and flexibility: Tech Fingers’ solution is customized to close the gender STEM gaps; this is why we pay special focus to female students and other female professionals. Tech Fingers’ solution provides a customizable curriculum, the ability to integrate with existing systems, and flexibility in terms of usage patterns (e.g., offline access, and mobile apps) to accommodate diverse learning environments. Data-driven insights: Tech Fingers leverages data analytics and provides actionable insights to teachers, students, and administrators. This enables personalized learning, performance tracking, and progress monitoring, which can help to improve learning outcomes and provide valuable feedback for continuous improvement. Strong customer support: We have set our organization to provide prompt and effective support channels, such as chatbots, online help centres, and dedicated customer service teams, which can enhance the overall user experience and build trust with customers. Integration of emerging technologies: We incorporated emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence-AI, Machine Learning-ML, and augmented/virtual reality, into our solutions. These cutting-edge technologies offer unique and immersive learning experiences, drive innovation, and will position Tech Fingers as a leader in the market. Collaborative features: Tech Fingers features include discussion forums, group projects, peer reviews, and social learning elements that foster a collaborative learning environment and promote active participation. Pricing and affordability: We offer competitive pricing and affordable options, such as tiered pricing plans, discounts for educational institutions, and free trials. Positive reputation and testimonials: We have built a positive reputation with the Lagos State Ministry of Education through our Tech fingers onsite STEM training for public school girls in Lagos State. This made the state government endorse our solution and right now, we are among the selected 51 projects for the Lagos State SDG Challenge. We are to provide onsite STEM training sessions in 3 public schools in Lagos State and it is funded by the Lagos State government. By leveraging these strategies, Tech Fingers has differentiated itself from competitors and positioned itself as a leader in the market, attracting more users and achieving sustained success.