South African Teacher Honored with Global STEM Innovation Award
Nadine Smith wins global award for inclusive STEM teaching, inspiring change through robotics and tech education in rural South Africa.
Global Recognition for Local Impact
South African educator Nadine Smith has received the 2025 EDGE in Tech Athena Award for Early Career Leadership, recognizing her efforts in revolutionizing STEM education through inclusivity. Her work focuses on introducing robotics and technology-based learning to underserved students, particularly girls and rural learners who often lack access to such resources. Her mission is clear—make STEM accessible for all.
Championing Inclusive Innovation
Nadine’s teaching methods are not only innovative but deeply inclusive. She integrates practical robotics, hands-on experiments, and mentorship into her classes, encouraging creativity and curiosity. Her classrooms are safe spaces for exploration, allowing students to break stereotypes and enter fields traditionally seen as out of reach.
Setting a Global Example
Her recognition on a global platform like UC Berkeley’s EDGE in Tech initiative is a testament to the growing importance of grassroots innovation. Nadine is now inspiring a new generation of teachers and students to dream bigger in the world of STEM.
