Growing STEAM education for teens

Seventeen students from Poás High School visited the Science Corner facilities and the Ad Astra Rocket Company’s labs at EARTH University’s La Flor campus. The trip was part of the U.S. governmental initiative TeachHer.

Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solís, First Lady Mercedes Peñas, and U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica Sharon Day accompanied the students. The trio encouraged the students to continue their studies in the sciences, technology, engineering, art and design, and mathematics (otherwise known as “STEAM”).

During the activity, the ambassador announced a $6,000 gift to the Science Corner, for the purchase of technological equipment that will motivate young people to visit the center and be inspired to pursue STEAM.

“Investing in education is the best thing that any country can do. As the decisions these students take today will enrich Costa Rica and the communities where they live,” Ambassador Day said.

EARTH University’s Science Corner is an interactive space created with the support of the U.S. Embassy to promote development, entrepreneurship and technological innovation through idea generation.

TeachHer – an effort from former Second Lady Jill Biden, that has been championed by Peñas –seeks to build alliances to grow the number of women entering classrooms and labs.

In 2016, only 31 percent of Costa Rican engineering and technology professionals were women.

“I invite young people to continue challenging themselves and take the road toward careers in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. Innovation, entrepreneurship and the future of our region depend on it.” Pictured are Ambassador Day and Carlos Murillo, director of EARTH’s La Flor campus, with the students who visited the Science Corner. Source: Twitter @usambassadorcr