STEM program for Latina girls aims to build next generation of engineers, promote family bonding in Edmonton

Latina girls learned how to make miniature circuit-powered traffic lights at the Terwillegar Recreation Centre.

A program dedicated to teaching Latina mother-daughter duos science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts began its third year of hands-on workshops in Edmonton on Saturday.

Building Bridges is a free eight-week program for girls eight to 14 years old and their mothers or caregivers. They meet each Saturday for a couple hours of interactive science and problem-solving activities.

Alexia Leon-Diaz was at the program’s first workshop with her mom.

“I want to be a scientist because I like exploding stuff,” she told CTV News Edmonton.

“This event is pretty good. You guys should come to learn about engineering and STEM.”

The workshops at the Terwillegar Recreation Centre feature ongoing activities and mentorship from volunteer engineers around the city.

The program was created by non-profit Mujeres Omega Foundation. Mairim Neves, a professional engineer with the organization, said the goal was to empower young girls who are sometimes underrepresented in STEM fields.

Engineers Canada, a group representing workers across the country, has set a goal of reaching 30-per-cent women’s representation in the field by 2030.

“These kinds of programs help Engineers Canada reach that goal, because having the girls learning about engineering early helps them learn and understand better in the future,” she explained.

The multi-generational element was a way to encourage quality time between mothers and daughters while also learning something new, Neves added. On Saturday, around 20 children and their caregivers were working 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,” she said.

The workshop volunteers also aim to teach soft skills, like problem-solving and how to recognize when you feel frustrated when presented with a challenge.

“You’re building not only foundations for STEM, but also for leadership. In life, the instructions aren’t always clear,” Neves said.

Registration for this year’s program has already closed. But thanks to the help of the Alberta Women’s Science Network based in Calgary, Neves hopes to run the Building Bridges program for free again next year.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Connor Hogg