Empowering Girls: STEAM Through game & creativity

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

Niñas Hacia el Espacio is a two-day bootcamp designed for girls aged 7 to 9 to spark their interest in STEAM fields through engaging activities. The program addresses the gender gap in STEAM by offering early empowerment opportunities, especially for girls from socioeconomically vulnerable backgrounds, such as those that live in the rural and coastal regions of Costa Rica. It aims to counteract disparities rooted in early socialization practices that contribute to women's underrepresentation in STEAM fields.

Ideas en Acción is working to expand this initiative across Costa Rica. By August 2024, the program will have been implemented in 6 of the country's 7 provinces; with plans to cover the remaining province, Puntarenas, by December 2024. During this year, we have conducted 4 editions, with the support of sponsorships and donations, as well as alliances with organizations that promote community based activities focused on adressing equity; bringing the program to the provinces of Guanacaste (January 2024), Heredia (February 2024), Cartago (March 2024) and Limón (July 2024), and covering the participation costs for over 100 girls to enhance accessibility to such initiatives.

In the 7 editions conducted, 531 girls have applied, out of which 199 have successfully completed the bootcamp, and 100% recommend the program. There is also a comprehensive approach to supporting the girls' network, by the participation of their caregivers in an induction session about women in STEAM. Overall, there is an increase in interest and confidence among the girls in pursuing STEAM careers. Caregivers also express their support for their girls' involvement in these activities and acknowledge the importance of giving them the opportunities and resources to freely choose who they want to be. 

Still, there remains an urgent need to intensify these initiatives to achieve gender equality. Therefore, there is a significant opportunity to empower this age group, as it is between the ages of 5 and 10 when interest and motivation in these areas begin to develop. It becomes essential to provide spaces where girls can develop essential abilities such as critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, communication, reasoning and analytical skills, concentration, and problem-solving skills. Throughout this program, our intention is to offer young girls additional support to recognize their abilities and empower themselves through various areas of Science and Technology, key aspects for their socioeconomic development and contributing to their quality of life in the future.

Finally, it is also important to consider the program’s intersectional approach. The program aims to offer participation opportunities to girls from communities facing psychosocial and socioeconomic risks, taking into account the growing violence affecting the country. Thus, the program seeks to promote diversity within the inclusion of women in STEAM by considering girls of different ethnicities and races, socioeconomic statuses, with or without disabilities, and other factors that socially determine individuals' opportunities for social mobility. A valuable example of this is the edition held in Limón, where the majority of the country’s Afro-descendant population originates, as it was noted by that most initiatives are concentrated solely in the Greater Metropolitan Area, and which hinders access to growth opportunities for these communities.