The University of Arizona is deeply committed to bringing more women into the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Traditionally labeled the "STEM" fields, we now add "the arts" as part of the vision, to include the elements of creativity that drive innovation and prepare students for future careers.
Arizona Global - Mexico Initiatives - Women in STEM
One of our missions at UArizona Mexico Initiatives is to Amplify the Voices of Women in STEA+M fields and to cultivate a strong network of support, research, and opportunities at all levels of higher education. Our annual Women in STEA+M seminars have grown in the past few years, and include students at undergraduate and graduate levels from universities throughout Mexico who are invited to participate. Over the course of the seminar, participants learn research and writing strategies, and develop leadership skills that will prepare them for success in their future and in their careers of choice.
We believe that giving women equal opportunities to learn and thrive in STEA+M careers enhances women's economic security, narrowing the gender pay gap and preventing biases in the field. These diverse and talented young women are creating the products and services of the future, and are solving the challenges that we face.
Every year, we invite attendance through our partner institutions in Mexico. We have welcomed students from Sonora, Chihuahua, and Mexico City, and the range of participants grows every year.
The women who attend these seminars are cultivating a network of colleges, research opportunities, and supportive colleagues who will support and drive their studies and their work. Participants are empowered through mentorship and valuable training, and are presented with a certificate upon completion.
For questions and more information about Amplifying the Voices of Women in STEA+M annual seminars, please contact Justin Dutram.
PAST PROGRAMS:
2021: Amplifying the Voices of Women in STEA+M
The 2021 Amplifying the Voices of Women in STEA+M seminar was held February 8–11 as a fully interactive virtual event, due to worldwide travel restrictions that were in place. One hundred fourteen participants attended the sessions and presentations, and took part in activities and workshops designed to empower women in STEA+M in leading research and inspiring future young women in the sciences.
The 114 women, representing sixteen institutions of higher education, attended the seminar virtually, from Sonora, Chihuahua, and Mexico City, connecting on our Google-hosted event website and participating in activities on Zoom and social media platforms. These promising undergraduate and graduate students, majoring in STEM fields at their respective universities in Mexico, participated in innovative workshops, lectures, and other activities designed to advance the role of women in STEA+M. Topics included: leadership methods, teamwork techniques, communication skills, professional development, and interdisciplinary and graduate career opportunities.
This year's Keynote Speakers included:
- María Carmen Oñate Muñoz, Ambassador of Mexico in Spain
- Magdalena Verdugo, Chief Executive Officer for YWCA Southern Arizona
OVERVIEW
February 8th, Day 1
The organizers and presenters hosted an engaging day, starting with a warm welcome and some interactive icebreaker activities and breakout room discussions. The day ended with a Writing Skills Improvement Workshop (WSIP) designed specifically for participants in the seminar.
February 9th, Day 2
Our amazing presenters hosted two interesting academic sessions, an inspirational talk about leadership, and lastly, another WSIP writing workshop.
February 10th, Day 3
Day three featured inspiring sessions with a keynote presentation and a panel that honored the value of the Mexican identity featuring local and international leaders and scientists. Thank you to the Consulate of Mexico in Tucson for hosting this session! Our closing ceremony surprised our participants with the "A" in STEA+M. We were treated to a musical interlude. The day ended with an opportunity to participate in a WSIP writing workshop.
February 11th, Day 4
Day four of the 2021 Women in STEA+M Seminar featured a virtual tour of the University of Arizona BioSphere2 facility. Participants also learned about research opportunities at UArizona and had a final chance to work on their writing skills in the last WSIP writing workshop.
Presenters and session leaders:
Thank you to our 2021 Program Sponsors:
Amplifying the Voices of Women in STEM
Women in STEM Seminar 2020
The 2020 Amplifying the Voices of Women in STEM program, hosted by the University of Arizona, took place during the week of February 3–7 on the Tucson, Arizona campus. Forty-three young women from Sonora, Chihuahua, and Mexico City attended the seminar. These promising undergraduate and graduate students, majoring in STEM fields at their respective universities in Mexico, participated in innovative workshops, lectures, and other activities designed to advance the role of women in STEM. Topics included: leadership methods, teamwork techniques, communication skills, professional development, and interdisciplinary and graduate career opportunities.
The seminar featured Keynote Speaker Dr. Tania Martínez Cruz, who spoke on the topic “Encounters and Disagreements: Your Inner Voice.”
The Amplifying the Voices of Women in STEM seminar was sponsored this year by Consejo Estatal de Ciencia y Tecnología de Sonora (COECYT), with institutional support from the State Government in Sonora, and higher education institutions from this state. Through seminar presentations and experiences, the participants learned unique ideas and perspectives from leaders on the University of Arizona campus who are role models for women in STEM.
Additional support and participation towards the success of the seminar came from the Institute of Innovation and Competitiveness in Chihuahua, UNAM-Tucson and UNAM College of Sciences in Mexico City.
The program booklet linked here highlights the collaboration and learning that were strengthened as a result of this experience.
Special thanks to our 2020 Seminar Sponsors:
- BIO5
- Writing Skills Improvement Program (WSIP)
- Tree-Ring lab
- Worlds of Words (WOW)
- Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)
- Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab
- International Admissions
- Tech Parks
- Student Union
Keynote Speaker sponsor: Dr. Don Slack, Professor, Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering
Panelists: Dr. Martha Civil, Emma Rocio Fajardo, Laura Paredes Oldaker, Alma V. Peralta, Rosa María Rojas and Dr. Adriana Zúñiga. Panel moderator: Dr. Adrián Arroyo
What is Politics? Class: Dr. Noam Chomsky, Dr. Marvin Waterstone & Teaching Assistant Leader, Erika Sylvia Nacim
Documenting Scholarships and Community: Dr. Nolan Cabrera, Dr. Roberto Cintli Rodriguez, Dr. Cristina D. Ramirez and Dr. Michelle Tellez.
Moderator: Dr. Maribel Alvarez.
Borderlands Brewing Co. and Las Hermanas Project: Ayla Kapahi, MA and Savanna Saldate.
Group Coordinators:
- UNAM -Tucson: Dr. Elena Centeno and Dr. Arnoldo Bautista
- COECYT-Sonora: Yuria Leyva Chávez, MA and Myrna Casarez Zazueta, MA
- Institute of Innovation and Competitiveness: Gerardo Padilla Aguilar y Adriana Cabello Hernández, MA
State Sponsors:
- Chihuahua: Dr. Lisbeily Domínguez Rubalcaba and Berenice Hernandez, MA
- Sonora: Dr. Antonio Rodríguez Valdez
- Mexico City: Dr. Catalina E. Stern Forgach, Mtra. María Guadalupe Lucio Gómez-Maqueo,
- Dr. Víctor M. Velázquez Aguilar and Ing. Alexia Gil Tejeda
Giving Women in STEM a Voice
Women in STEM Seminar 2018
As the world becomes increasingly connected, the role of science, technology, engineering, and math – also known as STEM – has never been more important. Although women are making significant advances in the workforce, they remain underrepresented in STEM, particularly with regard to leadership positions. Institutions of higher education have a responsibility to not only encourage women to participate in these fields, but also to prepare them to excel.
In 2018, the University of Arizona hosted 20 young women who are promising engineers at their respective universities in Sonora, Mexico. The inaugural Women in STEM Seminar united the undergraduate students for one week in Tucson, where they participated in innovative workshops, lectures, and other activities designed to advance the role of women in STEM. Topics included: leadership methods, teamwork techniques, communication skills, professional development, and interdisciplinary and graduate career
opportunities.
Sponsored by Consejo Estatal de Ciencia y Tecnología de Sonora, also known as COECYT, and with marketing support from the University of Arizona Office for Diversity and Inclusive Excellence, the seminar offered a unique perspective from leaders on the University of Arizona campus who are role models for women in STEM. The following stories reflect the voices that were strengthened as a result of this experience.
The program booklet linked here shares some of the students' experiences from the seminar.
Special thanks to our 2018 Seminar Partners:
- Bio 5
- Biosphere 2
- Building a Strong Research Career: Heidi Mansour, PhD & Maria Fernanda Acosta, PhD Candidate
- COECYT: Francisco A. Rodriguez Valdéz, PhD, Myrna L. Câsarez Zazueta & Mariel Rábago Valenzuela
- College of Engineering
- Gender & Equity Unit, Sonora State Government
- International Graduate Students of the University of Arizona
- International Office, Secretaria de Educación y Cultura, Sonora State Government
- International Partnerships Unit
- Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research
- Mexico Initiatives, Office of the Secretary
- OpEd Project Fellows: Catherine Brooks, PhD & Elise Gornish, PhD
- Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab
- SBS-Mexico Initiatives
- Sonoran Universities
- Student Union Memorial Center
- Tech Parks Arizona: Molly Gilbert & Dany Ibarra
- UA Global Colleagues (volunteers): Gabriela Valdez, PhD & Thomas Opio
- University of Arizona Office of Diversity and Inclusive Excellence: Jesus Trevino, PhD & Georgine Speranzo
- University of Arizona Visitor Center
- Women in Science and Engineering Program (WISE): Jill M. Wiliams, PhD
- Writing Skills Improvement Program (WSIP)