The project are witnessing great progress towards the realization of women’s rights, in their struggle for a more equal participation in society. However, there are still gender inequalities that affect and condition the decisions that determine people’s future since childhood. Today, it is crucial to develop skills related to scientific and technological thinking. Thus, the scarce number of women in STEM-related careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) is a concern that has long ago become a source of discussion. This issue is critical to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (2030 Agenda). To close the gender gap, girls must receive a comprehensive digital literacy education and acquire skills that guarantee their full development in today’s society. In this context, the research “Childhood, Science, and Technology: a gender analysis from the family, educational and cultural environment point of view” was carried out to generate knowledge about the conditions and factors that favor and/or limit in childhood the opportunities and possibilities of boys and girls to be interested, develop skills and build a satisfactory relationship in the learning of STEM.

http://www.chicos.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/research_gender_&_technology.pdf

• Latin America and the Caribbean

• Youth
• Women
• Remote and rural communities

This research is part of an educational program that is directly affected by the research results and that has been designed from the beginning as an efficient experience that makes it possible to reach the whole Latin American region, including those residents that are far from big cities and that usually have a narrower offer of training and information. This is possible thanks to the cooperation between non-profit organization (Chicos.net), State (Ministries of Education) and private company (Disney). Year after year, the scope has grown exponentially: during the first year, for example, 200 teachers were trained; in 2017, the amount increased to 8,263, reaching millions of children with educational video games such as Moana: Wayfinding With Code(820,000 players) and Code Baymax(1.1 million players). This is due to the natural evolution of the project, resulting from its constant improvement and assessment. The focus is teacher training as the key to transform education in Latin America, build capacity in schools, promote digital literacy, in particular, in vulnerable areas, and reduce digital gender gap. The general proposal for teacher training promotes cooperation and work among peers to stimulate exchanges and multiply experiences. It encourages communication and enrichment of practices by socializing spaces and reflections to build collective knowledge.

This research focused on an unexplored topic in the region. Until now, there were no studies analyzing gender differences and inequalities related to science and technology in childhood, in particular, during the first years of formal education. Field work included focus groups of both girls and boys to identify their perceptions and assessments, considering self-assessment as critical information of the problem, whichis rarely considered as part of the analysis. Also, recommendations specially focus on the need to work with boys as one of the pillars to improve the inclusion of girls in science and technology. The research —aligned with the rest of the program— is successful in its proposal to articulate all those responsible for children and teenager education and upbringing, including families, the State, educators, social organizations, schools, and companies. The research and program have a comprehensive approach to Digital Citizenship (promotion of rights and duties in digital environments) and Digital Literacy (acquisition of skills necessary to critically consume, produce content and express oneself with information and communications technologies —ICTs—), which is key to guarantee compliance with the rights of boys and girls, and to strengthen communities in the region. Gender focus encompasses all themes related to Digital Culture: cyberbullying, sexting, creative programming, risks and opportunities of ICTs, screen time.