-Published: Tuesday, October 29, 2019-
U.S. Embassy supports workshops in science, technology and mathematics for young women
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Nearly 320 girls and young women from vulnerable communities will receive workshops to develop skills and knowledge in science, technology, robotics, engineering, mathematics, arts and design. The sessions are known as STEAM Workshops for young women.
According to the Ministry of Education, the STEAM project promoted by the U. S. Embassy will be also supported by the Omar Dengo Foundation and the ministry itself.
"There are 16 workshops aimed at women between the ages of 9 and 20, which will last four hours," said the ministry in its statement. "They will be taught as a co-curricular activity in public schools."
In the workshops a methodology will be applied that allows participants to learn by doing the work in a fun, creative and collaborative way, said the ministry.
Saturday the first workshop called “Search engines and electronics scientists” was held at the San José de la Montaña School in the Province of Heredia.
According to the ministry, the workshops are scheduled to continue in rural schools in 2020.
On April 3rd, as A.M. Costa Rica previously reported, the U.S. Embassy announced an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program (or project) in the following focus areas:
-Improve the quality of English language education at the secondary and higher education levels
-Improve the quality of, and access to, science, technology, engineering, arts and design, and mathematics (STEAM) education for girls at the elementary and secondary education levels
-Inspire entrepreneurship among youth in under-represented communities particularly among migrant, women, Afro–descendent, and indigenous communities.
The Public Affairs Section of the Embassy works with government and non-government partners throughout Costa Rica to improve mutual understanding between the people of Costa Rica and the United States, and to expand and improve educational opportunities for Costa Rican youth (with a focus on English language, STEAM, and entrepreneurship), among other priorities.
The goal of the projects solicited through this Notice of Funding Opportunity is to complement embassy initiatives to improve English, entrepreneurship, STEAM education and to promote mutual understanding through cultural, educational, and professional development programs.
The English language projects should focus on improving English education and empowering young English learners by increasing their exposure to new career and educational opportunities. Proposals may include classroom instruction but priority will be given to projects that include beyond-the-classroom enhancement activities and / or demonstrate coordination with NGO or government of Costa Rica initiatives. Priority will be given to projects that incorporate under-represented communities, including but not limited to migrant, women, Afro-descendent, and indigenous communities.
The STEAM education projects should improve the quality of, and/or access to, STEAM education for girls and encourage girls to enter STEAM fields. Priority will be given to projects that include beyond-the-classroom enhancement activities in coordination with private sector partners and also to projects that incorporate under-represented communities, including but not limited to migrant, women, Afro-descendent, and indigenous communities.
The Entrepreneurship projects should promote broader awareness of and interest in entrepreneurship by building soft skills for youth in secondary and higher education levels with a focus on exposure to basic business skills, for example, how to develop an idea, how to create a business plan, etc. Priority will be given to projects that incorporate under-represented communities, including but not limited to migrant, women, Afro-descendent, and indigenous communities.
Participants and audiences depending on the project should be from 7 to 30 years old, from economically disadvantaged communities.
The length of the performance period is from 1 to 24 months. The number of awards anticipated from 5 to 10 awards (dependent on amounts). The award amounts may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $25,000. The available funding is $100,000
----------------------------------------------
Is there a school in your community where young women could be part of these workshops? We would like to know your
thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
|
|
