Empowering Girls: STEAM Through game & creativity

Niñas hacia el espacio (Español)

Niñas Hacia el Espacio es un programa de 2 días y gratuito de Ideas en Acción, dirigido a niñas entre 7 y 9 años que quieran explorar las áreas STEAM por medio del juego y actividades vivenciales. En este 2023 hemos realizado 6 ediciones, en las que en total hemos llegado a 90 niñas, a continuación el detalle por provincia: 

2023: 

San José: 

• Niñas aplicantes: 286
• Niñas participantes: 35
• Patrocinadores: Emerson y Yo me Uno - Bac Credomatic 
• Aliados: Museo de los Niños
• Horas voluntariado: 100 horas

Cartago: 

• Niñas aplicantes: 51
• Niñas participantes: 30
• Aliado: Centro Cívico por la Paz de Cartago
• Horas voluntariado: 114 horas

Alajuela

• Niñas aplicantes: 34
• Niñas participantes: 25
• Aliados: Colegio Científico de Alajuela. 
• Horas voluntariado: 132 horas

2024: 

Guanacaste

• Niñas aplicantes: 68
• Niñas participantes: 30
• Patrocinadores: WINGS Foundation by Phoenix Tower International
• Aliados: Creciendo Juntos e Iguana Lab
• Horas voluntariado: 89

Heredia

• Niñas aplicantes: 39
• Niñas participantes: 26
• Patrocinadores: WINGS Foundation by Phoenix Tower International
• Aliados: Centro Cívico por la Paz de Heredia e Iguana Lab
• Horas: voluntariado: 156

Cartago - Escuela Nuestra Señora de Fátima

• Niñas participantes: 24
• Patrocinadores: WINGS Foundation by Phoenix Tower International
• Aliados: Escuela Nuestra Señora de Fátima y Bio MechaX
• Horas voluntariado: 214

Limón - American Corner

• Niñas participantes: 28
• Patrocinadores: Smiths Foundation y Kyndryl
• Aliados: American Corner
• Horas voluntariado: 63

Heredia - Lincoln School (edición solidaria)

Edición diseñada para niñas de familias que podían pagar $150 por su participación, y con ese dinero financiaban la participación de otra niña en la provincia de Puntarenas.

• Niñas participantes: 24
• Aliados: Lincoln School, Iguala Lab, BioMechaX
• Horas voluntariado: 175.5

Puntarenas - Parque Marino 

• Niñas participantes: 17
• Patrocinadores: WINGS Foundation by Phoenix Tower International y P&G
• Aliados: Parque Marino, Iguala Lab, BioMechaX
• Horas voluntariado: 105

2025

San José - Parque La Libertad

• Niñas participantes: 24
• Patrocinadores: WINGS Foundation by Phoenix Tower International y P&G
• Aliados: Parque La Libertad, BioMechaX
• Horas voluntariado: 153

A todas las participantes y personas voluntarias se les brindó alimentación: merienda en la mañana, almuerzo y merienda de la tarde, así como todos lo materiales necesarios. 

Adicionalmente, en cada provincia contamos con un espacio dirigido a las familias sobre la importancia de motivar y apoyar a las niñas para desarrollarse en áreas STEAM.

En el mes de mayo volveremos a la provincia de Heredia. 

Niñas hacia el espacio (English)

Niñas Hacia el Espacio is a 2-day, free program by Ideas en Acción, aimed at girls aged 7 to 9 who want to explore the STEAM areas through play and experiential activities. In 2023, we have finished three editions, reaching a total of 90 girls. Here are the details by province:

2023:

San José: 

• Applicant Girls: 286 
• Participating Girls: 35 
• Sponsors: Emerson Costa Rica and Yo me Uno - Bac Credomatic 
• Partners: Museo de los Niños (Children's Museum) 
• Volunteer Hours: 100 hours

Cartago: 

• Applicant Girls: 51 
• Participating Girls: 30 
• Partner: Centro Cívico por la Paz de Cartago (Civic Center for Peace in Cartago) 
• Volunteer Hours: 114 hours

Alajuela: 

• Applicant Girls: 34 
• Participating Girls: 25 
• Partners: Colegio Científico de Alajuela (Alajuela Scientific School) 
• Volunteer Hours: 132 hours

2024

Guanacaste

• Applicant Girls: 68
• Participating Girls: 30
• Sponsors:: WINGS Foundation by Phoenix Tower International
• Partners: Creciendo Juntos e Iguana Lab
• Volunteer Hours: 89

Heredia

• Applicant Girls: 39
• Participating Girls: 26
• Sponsors: WINGS Foundation by Phoenix Tower International
• Partners: Centro Cívico por la Paz de Heredia e Iguana Lab
• Volunteer Hours 156

Cartago - Escuela Nuestra Señora de Fátima

• Applicant Girls: 24
• Sponsors: WINGS Foundation by Phoenix Tower International
• Partners: Escuela Nuestra Señora de Fátima y Bio MechaX
• Volunteer Hours: 214

Limón - American Corner

• Participating girls: 28
• Sponsors: Smiths Foundation and Kyndryl
• Partners: American Corner
• Volunteer hours: 63
  
  

Heredia - Lincoln School (Solidarity Edition)

Edition designed for girls from families who could pay $150 for participation, which in turn financed another girl's participation in the Puntarenas province.

• Participating girls: 24
• Partners: Lincoln School, Iguala Lab, BioMechaX
• Volunteer hours: 175.5
  
  

Puntarenas - Marine Park

• Participating girls: 17
• Sponsors: WINGS Foundation by Phoenix Tower International and P&G
• Partners: Marine Park, Iguala Lab, BioMechaX
• Volunteer hours: 105
  
  

2025

San José - La Libertad

• Participating girls: 24
• Sponsors: WINGS Foundation by Phoenix Tower International and P&G
• Partners: La Libertad, BioMechaX
• Volunteer hours: 153
  
  

All participants and volunteers were provided with meals: morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack, as well as all the necessary materials.

Additionally, in each province, there was a space dedicated to families to emphasize the importance of motivating and supporting girls to develop their skills in STEAM fields.

 In May, we will return to the province of Heredia.

Links:

• https://www.instagram.com/p/DFyEI0ZSXhl/
• https://www.instagram.com/p/DDdYdnXsLU3/?img_index=3
• https://www.instagram.com/p/DAuEGAYy-MO/

When the idea of creating Niñas Hacia el Espacio was born—a program designed for girls aged 7 to 9 with the goal of sparking their interest in STEAM through dynamic and engaging activities—we never imagined that we would soon achieve our goal of bringing this initiative to every corner of Costa Rica.

The program was created with a clear mission: to address the gender gap in STEAM by offering early empowerment opportunities, especially for girls from socioeconomically vulnerable backgrounds, such as those living in rural and coastal areas of the country. Each edition represents a step toward transforming these inequalities, which stem from early socialization practices that perpetuate the underrepresentation of women in key fields shaping the future.

Today, we are proud to announce that, in just a few days, we will bring Niñas Hacia el Espacio to the province of Puntarenas, a region that faces significant challenges in terms of development and access to educational opportunities, especially for women and girls. Communities in this area grapple with structural inequalities that limit access to essential resources like technology, quality educational infrastructure, and personal development programs. These barriers disproportionately affect girls, restricting their opportunities to explore areas such as science and technology and reducing their ability to reach their full potential.

Since our last update, we successfully carried out a solidarity edition with the valuable support of Lincoln School. This effort consisted of offering the bootcamp at a cost to participating families, which allowed us to raise funds to cover the participation costs for girls in Puntarenas. This collaborative model not only expanded access to the program but also strengthened our commitment to equity. Families who could afford the participation fee for their daughters directly contributed to ensuring that girls from socioeconomically vulnerable conditions also have the opportunity to explore their potential in STEAM and dream of a future full of possibilities.

With this upcoming edition, we are not just completing the logistical goal of reaching the last province on our list—we are reaffirming our commitment to creating a meaningful and sustainable impact. To date, 229 girls have successfully completed the bootcamp, expressing greater interest and confidence in exploring STEAM careers. Each edition not only inspires the girls through experiential learning and play but also instills the confidence they need to overcome the barriers they face. Additionally, we actively involve their families in educational sessions to help them understand the importance of supporting and motivating the girls as they forge a future with more opportunities.

Puntarenas is not just the conclusion of a logistical milestone; it is the gateway to new possibilities. It is a reminder of why we work every day: to plant more seeds of equity, empowerment, and fulfilled dreams in the girls who will become the leaders, scientists, and innovators of tomorrow. We are ready to keep building a future together where all girls have the opportunity to reach their full potential!

Links:

• Instagram Reel of our 8th Ninas Hacia el Espacio Edition
• Instagram Post of our 8th Ninas Hacia el Espacio Edition
• Instagram Post of our 9th Ninas Hacia el Espacio Edition Call