Girls Educating Girls

Girls Educating Girls is the newest initiative of the Arecibo Observatory to increase diversity in STEM fields. The program was recently awarded funding through NASA’s Puerto Rico Space Grant Consortium. The first program will run from September, 2020 through May, 2021. Girls Educating Girls is designed to provide research experience for women enrolled in STEM fields at universities across Puerto Rico. The 4 selected students will be connected with mentors and provided with the necessary resources to conduct self-directed research on any topic of their choosing, within their area of study.

Phase 2 of the program consists of sharing their work – the students will be given the opportunity to create online modules and educational material that explain and highlight their findings. These will then be used to reinforce or compliment the science curriculum used in schools across the island.
“The main goal of the program is to increase the number of women in STEM careers – by furthering our undergrads’ professional development and by using these young women as role models for younger students,” explained Ms. Yasmín Santiago Serrano, Associate Director of the Science and Visitor Center at the Arecibo Observatory.

“Our initiative is by women for women. Through our participants’ work, we wish to encourage young girls to pursue STEM careers,” Ms. Santiago emphasized.

“Our initiative is by women for women. Through our participants’ work, we wish to encourage young girls to pursue STEM careers,” - Ms. Yasmín Santiago, Associate Director of the SVC at the Arecibo Observatory

Girls Educating Girls is designed to develop the college students’ science skills and professional development within STEM fields, specifically enhancing practical research skills: how to write a research proposal, what resources are available, how to apply theory to their project, and, ultimately, how to share their findings with people at all educational levels. Then, it is meant to teach and inspire the next generation.

“School students, especially young girls, should be able to see themselves reflected in the college student that is presenting their work,” Ms. Santiago shared. “We hope that it not only serves as a motivation for them to get involved in STEM, but also as a way to clarify any misconceptions or doubts about the subject area.”

The motivation for this initiative derives from the obvious need for online and virtual content during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The AO’s Science and Visitor Center (SVC), which runs under Ana G. Méndez University management typically receives approximately 15,000 students per year. Through a variety of didactic panels, interactive exhibits and educational lectures, the SVC has nurtured these young minds and inspired interest in STEM fields within the next generation. However, the pandemic has significantly reduced the number of students who would get to experience the high quality informal education that the SVC provides.

“As a result, we were driven to create accessible online modules that could support the educational system, enhancing the material they receive through their schools...” - Ms. Yasmín Santiago, Arecibo Observatory

“As a result, we were driven to create accessible online modules that could support the educational system, enhancing the material they receive through their schools,” shared Ms. Santiago. “We want to promote and enhance the STEM experiences schools provide to children.”