STEM Study Hubs
In countries across Africa, we’re inspiring more young people to embrace science, tech, engineering and maths.
Without books, STEM students are stuck
The STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and maths – hold the answers to many of our greatest challenges. They have a critical role to play in solving the climate crisis, fighting disease and increasing food security.
But, in many of the communities where we work, a lack of books is holding STEM students back. Without access to the books to support their learning, they can’t succeed when studying STEM subjects. So they are locked out of potential career paths and denied the chance to build a better, more equal future.
Girls and young women face the biggest challenges of all, with STEM subjects often still seen as more relevant to boys.
We’re here to change that – and our STEM Study Hubs are helping thousands of talented girls and boys take their first steps towards pioneering careers in STEM.
The power of STEM Study Hubs
Through the STEM Study Hub project, we create spaces in public libraries where students have the books and support they need to explore STEM subjects and prepare for exams. Each library receives 3,000 brand new, carefully selected STEM books.
We run training sessions for librarians too, so they feel more confident supporting pupils – and especially girls and young women – to get ready for exams and explore STEM stubjects.
And all of the libraries we support donate a selection of STEM books to three local school libraries, so even more children can build on their passion for STEM.
Working with our local partners, we also give a grant so that libraries can buy more books locally, and provide exam guides for secondary school pupils.
Related SDGs:
SDG 4
Quality Education
SDG 10
Reduced inequality
SDG 5
Gender equality
Impact since 2018
15,325
Students benefitting
32
Study Hubs opened
91
Teachers trained
Realising her dreams
Eletina loves school, and she has big ambitions. She dreams of being an Oncologist when she’s older, and the brand new books in her STEM Study Hub are helping her to achieve that dream.
I read STEM books, and I really love them. We have science books, chemistry books, biology books and mathematics books. These STEM books have pushed me. I used to fail mathematics, but the coming of the STEM books has helped me so much.
Eletina, Malawian Secondary School pupil

What STEM Study Hubs deliver
- Young people can access the latest STEM knowledge and ideas and get support when preparing for exams
- Girls are encouraged to consider careers in STEM
- Librarians feel confident supporting all students to succeed in exams
Fund this project
It costs £8,500 to create the next STEM Study Hub
Find out more about our charity
Our mission and vision
Our vision is a world where everyone has access to books that will enrich, improve and change their lives.
Read moreReports and publications
Read our latest publications, including our Annual Review and Strategy.
Read moreOur finances
At Book Aid International all the income we receive is from voluntary donations – we receive no government grants.
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