Girl Up, with the U.S. Department of State Office of Global Partnerships; the United States Embassies of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and México; Amazon Web Services; Caterpillar Foundation; Infinite Computer Solutions; Google; and TE Connectivity Foundation, is hosting an innovative, once-in-a-lifetime camp where girls from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, México, and the United States will have a hands-on opportunity to learn about science, technology, engineering, arts and design, and math (STEAM) from experts in the field.
WASHINGTON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Girl Up, an initiative hosted by the United Nations Foundation, and its affiliate, Girl Up México, along with government and corporate partners, will host 95 secondary school students and 10 college students from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, México, and the United States at WiSci (Women in Science) México STEAM Camp. From July 1-8, girls and youth allies will participate in a week of dynamic programming and technical skill building, all while fostering supportive peer relationships to encourage girls' pursuit of STEAM education and careers. Born out of a public-private partnership between organizations committed to closing the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, arts and design, and mathematics (STEAM), WiSci Camps provide adolescent girls and young women with technical knowledge and mentorship opportunities geared towards helping them explore a future in STEAM fields.
"To gain from the brilliance, insightfulness, and empathy of girls' future contributions to the world, we must provide them with the learnings and tools to step into their power and expand their knowledge and leadership abilities in STEAM fields. Girl Up's innovative WiSci program does exactly this and we're excited to bring our STEAM Bootcamp to girls from across Central America and the United States this July," said Girl Up Chief Executive Officer Melissa Kilby.
Young changemakers attending WiSci México will work together as an international cohort to tackle society's most pressing issues in their communities at home and abroad through scientific and technological innovation. Led by industry experts from Amazon Web Services, Google, and Infinite Computer Solutions, WiSci México attendees will follow a carefully curated curriculum, providing campers with first-class STEAM training, leadership development, and skills-strengthening sessions in topics including design thinking, artificial intelligence, innovation and creativity, and more.
"Increasing access to science, technology, engineering and math for youth worldwide is crucial to building the next generation of innovators," said Lauren Benne, Executive Director of TE Connectivity Foundation. "The TE Connectivity Foundation supports organizations like the WiSci Camp in México with Girl Up to empower future STEAM leaders."
"The WiSci camp is a unique opportunity for girls to connect in a safe space, learn impact skills through STEAM, and recognize themselves as change agents in their communities. We are blessed to be able to bring this camp to girls in Central America. Let's keep investing in opportunities for them; they deserve it," said Girl Up México Founder, Bita Aranda.
WiSci México will be the first fully in-person STEAM Camp held since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Ultimately, the camp will build teamwork, cross-cultural relationship-building, and professional development to create a supportive network of STEAM enthusiasts that will last long beyond the week-long program.
"Google is proud to support the WiSci (Women in Science) STEAM Camps for the 7th year, not just financially, but by partnering talented young girls from Central America with Google's amazing women technologists," said Karan Bhatia, Global Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Google. "Working with our partners at the US State Department and Girl Up, we're committed to addressing the gender digital divide and promoting economic growth through digital skilling."
"The Caterpillar Foundation views education in STEAM as a vehicle that leads to economic stability and mobility for young girls, their families and communities," said Asha Varghese, President of the Caterpillar Foundation. "We are proud of our 10-year partnership with Girl Up to create holistic programs that address direct technical skills and life skills needed throughout someone's learning and career trajectory to build an equitable future."
"At Amazon Web Services we focus on innovation and that includes creating and supporting initiatives to drive STEAM education globally," said Abby Daniell, director of programs, LCC, AWS. "There is a concerning gender gap in the tech world, and we are thrilled to be part of the WiSci Camps program, to encourage talented young girls to get the inspiration and the necessary skills to be the leaders of the future."
WiSci México is hosted by Girl Up, Girl Up México, the U.S. Department of State Office of Global Partnerships; the United States Embassies of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and México; Amazon Web Services; Caterpillar Foundation; Infinite Computer Solutions; Google; and TE Connectivity Foundation.
The WiSci Girls STEAM camp is part of the U.S. government's efforts to empower adolescent girls and promote the importance of innovation, technology, science leadership, and STEAM training, in addition to the importance of girls' education. Since 2015, more than 1,000 girls and youth allies have been successfully trained at WiSci STEAM Camps in Rwanda, Peru, Malawi, Namibia, Georgia, Estonia, Kosovo, and Southeast Asia – virtually with campers from Morocco and Côte d'Ivoire, as well as from Central America.
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About Girl Up
Girl Up is a girl-centered leadership development initiative working to advance gender justice worldwide. We believe that when girls and women are in positions of leadership, they work to create a more just and equitable world for everyone. Founded by the United Nations Foundation in 2010, Girl Up operates a global network of regional affiliates and serves 200,000 girls and youth leaders in 152 countries.
Further Information
For more information about the WiSci STEAM Camps, visit: GirlUp.org/WiSci
Central American media inquiries: contact Cecilia Palacios, [email protected]
U.S. media inquiries: contact Jessica Giusti, [email protected]
Media Contact
Jessica Giusti, Girl Up, 202.496.6387, [email protected]
SOURCE Girl Up
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