Page 39 - Kaleidoscope Academic Conference Proceedings 2024

they can conduct workshops, participate in career days, and
mentor students, offering both inspiration and practical advice
on how to navigate a path into engineering.
As justified in subsection 2.1, efforts must start very early
and be sustained throughout the educational and professional
pipeline. Boys and girls who may not initially be interested
in technology also receive valuable education, besides girls
interested in STEM are not viewed as anomalies.
Another crucial area of work addresses the lack of
self-confidence that can significantly influence girls’ interest
in STEM. Hands-on activities play a vital role in fostering
their efforts, enhancing their problem-solving strategies, and
demonstrating that their skills can improve with practice
[3]. For female teenagers, establishing a network of girls
interested in technology is particularly important, as peer
support becomes fundamental during this developmental
stage.
Visibility and recognition are crucial components in
promoting gender diversity within the engineering field.
Highlighting the achievements and contributions of female
engineers through media, industry conferences, and award
Figure 2 – A picture taken during one session of “Science
programs serves to challenge the prevailing stereotypes and
with families”
demonstrate the significant impact that women can have in
engineering.
One innovative activity “Science with families” involves
Influencing teachers and guidance counselors is an indirect training parents and grandparents in conducting science
yet effective approach to combating stereotypes. In Spain, experiments. During class breaks, these trained relatives
women represent 77% in primary education. Most of then teach primary school children, both girls and boys,
them did not study maths beyond compulsory secondary sharing their newfound knowledge and enthusiasm for science
school, and perceive themselves as lacking in mathematical (see Fig. 2). This activity usually takes place on special
proficiency [16]. days, fosters an intergenerational learning environment and
Patrons are integrated into the Chair beyond merely inspiring young students through the active involvement of
sponsoring activities; they actively collaborate in designing their family members in science education. As participants
and implementing them. For instance, during the 2023-2024 are mainly mothers and grandmothers, children can see a
academic year, female personnel at Google’s Málaga site complete new role in science for women.
conducted in-person talks and workshops on cybersecurity,
In addition to supporting the summer “Technological Campus
their area of expertise, reaching more than one thousand
for Girls”, the Hedy Lamarr Chair has introduced a new
students.
initiative with a similar approach named “Lamarr Chair
Challenge and Hilda Ericsson Competition”. This key
3.2 Activities carried out
activity, held for girls and a limited number of boys, will
be detailed in the following section. Both activities primarily
The Hedy Lamarr Chair undertakes various initiatives
aim to demonstrate to female teenagers that they have the
designed to make ICT more appealing and accessible to girls.
potential to create technology, rather than just consuming it.
The first activity was reinforcing the “ComoTu” program to
expand the efforts in the technological area, attracting new The summer Campus are conducted daily by female
female engineers to join the cause. The Hedy Lamarr Chair’s bachelor engineering students. This setup provides a close
programs cater to a wide age range, engaging girls from as and relatable influence.The hands-on nature of the camp,
young as 3 years old up to 18 years old, ensuring continuous combined with the mentorship from these undergraduate
support and inspiration throughout their educational journey. students, fosters a supportive and inspiring environment for
the teenage girls.
A pilot program for company visits was successfully launched
in 2024, involving both boys and girls touring the sites Both Tech Campus and Lamarr Chair Challenge are held
of patrons. During these visits, female engineers provide in the engineering labs at UMA. The labs offer a practical
explanations about their work and share their professional and immersive learning experience, allowing participants
experiences in various tech roles. Additionally, other female to engage with real-world problems and develop their
workers, such as language experts and artists working in own innovative solutions. By including presentations for
technology, also participate. They offer a unique perspective parents, these initiatives also help families understand and
on the need for diversity in current teams, highlighting how appreciate their daughters’ potential in technology, further
various skill sets and backgrounds contribute to innovation reinforcing a supportive community around their educational
and problem-solving in the tech industry. achievements.

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