Latina Mother-Daughter Duos Ignite STEM Passion in Edmonton

A program aimed at empowering Latina girls and their mothers through science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) has commenced its third year in Edmonton. The initiative, known as Building Bridges, offers free hands-on workshops for girls aged eight to 14 and their mothers or caregivers. The program kicked off on Saturday, providing a series of engaging activities designed to foster learning and family bonding.

Participants gather each Saturday for two hours at the Terwillegar Recreation Centre to engage in interactive science and problem-solving exercises. During the inaugural workshop, Alexia Leon-Diaz expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I want to be a scientist because I like exploding stuff. This event is pretty good. You guys should come to learn about engineering and STEM.”

The workshops feature ongoing activities and mentorship from volunteer engineers from across the city. The Mujeres Omega Foundation, a non-profit organization, created the program to address the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields. According to Mairim Neves, a professional engineer with the organization, the initiative aims to empower young girls and encourage their interest in engineering.

Engineers Canada, which represents professionals in the field nationwide, has set a goal of achieving 30 percent female representation in engineering by 2030. Neves elaborated on the significance of programs like Building Bridges, stating, “These kinds of programs help Engineers Canada reach that goal, because having the girls learning about engineering early helps them learn and understand better in the future.”

The program also emphasizes the importance of multi-generational learning, allowing mothers and daughters to spend quality time together while acquiring new skills. On Saturday, approximately 20 children and their caregivers collaborated on a project to build a traffic light. Neves emphasized that the ultimate aim of such activities is not just the end product but the connections formed during the process. “The final goal here is not to build a traffic light. The final goal is that they’re spending time with the kids… it’s the connection you’re building together,” she explained.

In addition to technical skills, the volunteers aim to impart essential soft skills, such as problem-solving and managing frustration when faced with challenges. Neves noted, “You’re building not only foundations for STEM but also for leadership. In life, the instructions aren’t always clear.”

While registration for this year’s program has already closed, Neves expressed optimism about continuing the Building Bridges initiative next year. With support from the Alberta Women’s Science Network based in Calgary, she hopes to offer the program free of charge once again. This initiative not only promotes STEM education but also fosters community and familial bonds, making a lasting impact on the participants involved.