Breaking Stereotypes Event Promotes Diversity and Inclusion in STEM
The IE School of Science and Technology hosted the Breaking Stereotypes in STEM Education event to encourage high school students, especially girls, to explore STEM education and career opportunities.
Rafif Srour, Vice Dean of Undergraduate Programs of the Sci-Tech School, welcomed attendees, thanked them for joining and explained that diversity, inclusion, and equity are core values at IE University.
“Breaking stereotypes, not only in STEM education but in all education, is something that we truly believe in,” stated Srour. “And there is no bigger affirmation of how important that is for us than the full support and presence of our very own president Santiago Iñiguez de Onzoño.”
Iñiguez spoke about the significance of diversity for the university, highlighting the need for more women present in the different layers of STEM fields.
He emphasized that promoting diversity is not only a question of justice, but also essential for enriching science and technology.
After those brief introductions, the students participated in hands-on workshops that allowed them to engage with the technology, learn about its applications, and ask questions to the workshop facilitators.
They used VR glasses to explore an IE Metaverse space and experiment with robotics and AI in the Robotics Lab.
The event finished with a panel discussion with Srour, Dr. Cathy Mulligan, the European Research Area Chair in Blockchain at the University of Lisbon; Irene Alda, the IE Academic Director of the Bachelor in Applied Mathematics; Guia Quagini, IE Data and Business Analytics Undergraduate Student; and Miguel Larrañaga Zuluet, IE Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Professor.
They shared their experiences and discussed stereotypes affecting women in STEM and the importance of overcoming them.
The speakers reiterated to the girls that they could not let anyone tell them that they couldn’t do something and encouraged them to let themselves be driven by passion.
“The world is yours, in STEM or whatever you want to do,” declared Larrañaga.