Encouraging girls involvement in Information andCommunication Technologies careers in Uruguay

Abstract

The gender gap between man and women participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is regrettably universal, and generally unacceptably broad. In addition, this gap is particularly noticeable in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering (EECS) careers. Several international organizations and universities in North America, Europe and Latin America have designed programs to address this important problem, showing varying degrees of success. In many of these programs the idea is to work with high school girls, seeking to bring them key knowledge of the disciplines of STEM and encourage them to choose careers in the area. Among other activities, these programs offer presentations, talks, or short courses in a given period at the university itself, taught by women teachers in the area applying the role model approach. This article presents the experience of the Facultad de Ingenier ??a (School of Engineering) of the Universidad de la Rep ?ublica, Uruguay, on the occasion of the Girls in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) day. In particular, workshops for robotics, circuits and maps making were held for high school girls as a way to promote ICT careers in Uruguay.