PADF Launches STEM Program in the Americas
08 Dezember 2016 - 8:51PM
Business Wire
Regional Public-Private Partnership to Inspire
Youth to Careers in Science
In honor of Computer Science and Education Week, the Pan
American Development Foundation (PADF) and partners announce a new
educational initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean called
STEM in the Americas: Inspiring the next Generation of Science and
Technology Students. The project seeks to promote science,
engineering, technology and mathematics (STEM) to young students in
Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Chile.
PADF and partners including The Boeing Company and the Dart
Foundation in Mexico will launch innovative STEM education
initiatives that aim to inspire young students.
While school enrollment rates have vastly improved in recent
years, Latin American students continue to rank in the bottom third
worldwide in math, reading and science, according to the latest
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) survey. One
of the barriers to success is unequal access to education. The
region’s poorest students are more than two years behind their
wealthier counterparts, according to the Inter-American Development
Bank, which predicts it would take decades for the region to catch
up with higher performing countries.
“Science and technology education is fundamental to building a
highly-skilled, professional work force in Latin America and for
driving economic growth,” says Marcos Jimenez, CEO of
Softtek USA and a board member for PADF. “When taught well,
these subjects can inspire a sense of curiosity—which is tied to
educational achievement—in even the youngest students.”
PADF is committed to furthering the UN Sustainable Development
Goals. This program aims to address income inequality, provide
quality education and promote gender equality. Whether it's a
science fair in Mexico, a nature-based science curriculum
in Brazil, supplying books to schools in Argentina or
providing educational support to teachers in Chile, PADF and
partners are working to bridge the digital divide.
These STEM initiatives aim to engage young children from
disadvantaged economic backgrounds who many not otherwise have the
opportunity to learn about the field. The programs are designed to
promote greater student engagement in science and technology,
particularly among communities that are disproportionately
underrepresented in these fields, including girls and indigenous
youth.
STEM in the Americas recognizes the critical role that teachers
play in promoting science and technology and will create custom
curricula based on each country’s needs.
STEM in the Americas is a member of the Latin American and
Caribbean Network for the Popularization of Science and Technology
(RedPOP), an interactive network, which promotes regional
cooperation to further education in science and technology.
“Improving the scientific and analytical skills of students can
solve a range of socioeconomic problems and help Latin American
countries take a leading role in finding solutions to the region’s
most challenging issues,” says Luisa Villegas, Deputy Senior
Programs Director for PADF.
Often, teachers are not well-equipped to promote STEM education.
The STEM in the Americas project will address the need for
increased educational opportunities for vulnerable youth both
inside and outside of the classroom. In all countries, the project
will build teacher capacity as well as that of students.
For more information, or to participate, visit
www.padf.org/stem.
About PADF
PADF operates throughout Latin America and the Caribbean to
generate economic opportunities, advance social progress,
strengthen civil society, and prepare for and respond to natural
disasters and humanitarian crises. In 2016, the Foundation reached
more than 41 million people in 14 countries. Headquartered in
Washington D.C., PADF has field offices and projects throughout
Latin America and the Caribbean. www.padf.org
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PADFHearly G. Mayr, +1-202-280-3846Director of Communications
and Public Affairshmayr@padf.org