Motivate girls to study careers Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) It must be a commitment to reduce gender gaps, improve their salaries, open up new job opportunities, innovate and see greater inclusion within these sectors. However, for this, educational institutions must play a fundamental role, since they are the axis to break with the “glass ceilings” and the traditions that prevent girls or young women from becoming programmers, scientists, astronauts, biologists, among many other professions.
And it is that according to UNESCO, in the world, women represent only 35% of those who study higher education in STEM, while less than 30% of researchers in science belong to this genre.
Colombia is not the exception either, according to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, only one in ten women study at the university and less than 2% choose a STEM career. Therefore, the country faces a great challenge in terms of education for gender equality.
However, in the country there are actors who are an example of the promotion of this type of education, such as the Cartagena International School, which has been implementing since preschool, theoretical and practical subjects that include topics such as robotics, development of predictive models with Artificial Intelligence, construction of applications and management of algorithms in order to prepare both boys and girls to overcome fears and take on challenges from an early age.
“It is very important that girls are interested in these types of professions that have to do with science and technology because there is generally a stereotype that these careers are for men. For this reason, many do not aspire to be developers, scientists, engineers or specialists in robotics.” explained Daniela Carvajalino, president of the Cartagena International School.
It should be noted that this school in Cartagena teaches through an innovative methodology based on neuroscience and with a special focus, since its practices are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, established by the General Assembly of the United NationsIn this way, they aim to use technology to solve community problems.
In addition, the institution takes advantage of a large part of the curriculum created by The Biz Nation, which includes detailed plans where girls learn to study according to their brain type and develop processes that involve Big data, 3D printing, robotics and programming.
Daniel Puerta, professor of technological entrepreneurship at said institution, adds that subjects such as robotics are extremely important for children’s learning from preschool, since it prepares them for future demands of the global economy and a technology-based society.
“It is no secret to anyone that we live in an era where robotics and programming are highly demanded skills in the world of work and we must prepare children to integrate into the future. In addition, this type of education encourages creativity and collaboration, because it invites teamwork on different projects where communication is encouraged or to respect the ideas of others”Gate emphasized.
At school, exemplary cases have already been seen, such as that of the student Antonella Coronel, who joined the robotics club a few years ago, where she has had the opportunity to work on different projects such as the development of artificial intelligence. to detect Myeloid Leukemia in early stages that was done in collaboration with the Colombian company for the development of Artificial Intelligence Arkángel, and also in the elaboration of arm prostheses with recycled materials.
“As a member of the robotics club I can say that this is an incredible experience, we not only learn valuable skills in technology and science, but we also have the opportunity to apply our knowledge to help others. In addition, at the moment we are working on other very fun projects, such as a dance machine, which not only allows us to have a good time, but is also a good business idea to install in our institution.” Colonel stated.
To motivate children to be part of these initiatives, the institution from preschool has subjects focused on solving logical problems, where classrooms apply more than theoretical concepts, an education based on experience, where children learn to solve real problems in a creative and dynamic way, looking for them to acquire critical thinking.
Thanks to these first courses, students, as they progress in the institution, encounter new challenges that lead them to carry out innovative projects almost autonomously such as: the creation of a virtual reality art gallery, lighting systems with solar panels and the construction of robots to solve community problems, among other.
From UN Women they affirm that gender gaps reduce the possibilities of innovation and new perspectives to face the current and future challenges that countries and their societies have when it comes to development.
