Edmonton’s Building Bridges Program Empowers Latina Girls in STEM

A program aimed at fostering interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) among Latina girls and their mothers has commenced its third year of workshops in Edmonton. The initiative, known as Building Bridges, provides free, hands-on sessions for girls aged eight to 14 and their caregivers. The first workshop of the eight-week program took place at the Terwillegar Recreation Centre on March 23, 2024.

Participants engage in interactive activities designed to enhance their understanding of STEM concepts while promoting family bonding. During the initial workshop, Alexia Leon-Diaz expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I want to be a scientist because I like exploding stuff. This event is pretty good. You guys should come to learn about engineering and STEM.”

The program is organized by the Mujeres Omega Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young girls. Mairim Neves, a professional engineer and representative of the foundation, emphasized the importance of such initiatives. “Our goal is to empower young girls who are sometimes underrepresented in STEM fields,” she remarked.

According to Engineers Canada, the organization aims to achieve a 30 percent representation of women in engineering by 2030. Neves noted that programs like Building Bridges can help meet this target by introducing girls to engineering concepts early in their educational journeys.

The program also focuses on multi-generational learning, encouraging mothers and daughters to spend quality time together while acquiring new skills. During the first session, approximately 20 children and their caregivers collaborated on building a traffic light. “The final goal here is not to build a traffic light. The final goal is that they’re spending time with the kids. It’s the connection you’re building together,” Neves explained.

In addition to technical skills, the program aims to cultivate soft skills such as problem-solving and resilience. “You’re building not only foundations for STEM but also for leadership. In life, the instructions aren’t always clear,” Neves added.

Although registration for this year’s program has already closed, Neves expressed hope for future sessions. With support from the Alberta Women’s Science Network based in Calgary, the foundation plans to offer the Building Bridges program again next year at no cost.

By fostering a supportive environment for Latina girls and their mothers, the Building Bridges program not only promotes technical knowledge but also strengthens familial bonds, contributing to a more diverse future in STEM fields.