STEM programs aim to foster scientific vocations in girls and rural children

Educational initiatives in Mexico and Spain are working to encourage interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among young women and children in underserved or underrepresented areas.

In Mexico, researchers and student volunteers from the University of Colima completed the first cycle of the “Vocaciones Primarias” project in La Nogalera. The initiative targeted 55 primary school students to spark interest in scientific fields and encourage continued education. Project coordinator Sara Guillermina Centeno Leija noted that the workshops aim to provide students with new academic perspectives, though she highlighted that economic and logistical barriers remain significant challenges for rural students.

In Spain, the eleventh edition of the STEM Talent Girl program has launched in León. Organized by the Junta de Castilla y León and the ASTI Foundation, the program supports 161 female students from 31 educational centers. The initiative provides guidance to help young women discover high-demand professions and overcome gender biases in technical sectors. The curriculum includes monthly activities such as workshops on employability, entrepreneurship, and hackathons, focusing on both technical skills and soft skills like teamwork and resilience.