Women in Science and Technology Bio-Bio Meeting: Empowering Young Women in Chile Academic Article in Scopus uri icon

abstract

  • © American Society for Engineering Education, 2021College-age women often lack interest in STEM disciplines because of prejudices and stereotypes that have discouraged them. Chile is one of the countries that has made significant progress in reducing the gender gap. However, progress in training women in STEM disciplines has been low compared to other Latin American countries. The Engineering Faculty of the Universidad Andres Bello has carried out the "Biobio Women in Science and Technology Meeting" for two consecutive years. The first was an in-person event, and the second in online mode. The sessions aimed to encourage young women in the last two years of high school (ages 16 to 17) to have greater interest and access to university STEM disciplines. This study reflects on young Chilean women's needs and motivations to pursue a career in STEM areas in the event context. It focuses specifically on the various roles, such as external researchers (invited speakers), academicians (workshop instructors), and collaborating students (workshop assistants) who participate in the event. It aims to understand more profoundly the organization required to establish strategies that would allow continuity to this powerful initiative. Data was collected from interviews with the participants (workshop instructors, workshop assistants, and invited speakers). The results showed that all those involved valued the initiative and would participate in it again. This type of event is necessary to empower girls and adolescents to choose STEM careers. Opinions ventured by students, academicians, and researchers made it possible to establish guidelines for future talks and workshops and new activities that may be interesting to implement in future versions of the meeting.

publication date

  • July 26, 2021