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LatinX STEAM Initiative for Girls in

Grades 6 Through 12 Takes Root

 

A new initiative in the Middle and Upper Divisions seeks to enrich the educational experiences of girls in Grades 6 through 12 who identity as LatinX by connecting them with alumnae mentors in STEAM professions. (STEAM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics.)

Through a variety of programs – panel discussions, student-alumna mentorship opportunities, and classroom projects, for example – students will have a chance to interact with and learn from LatinX alumnae in STEAM fields. The hope is that growing numbers of female LatinX HM students will consider pursuing higher education and professions in STEAM fields.

The new initiative was launched on March 2nd with a panel discussion hosted on Zoom for Middle and Upper Division students and families. The event featured five alumnae who are studying and/or working in STEAM fields. Panelists were:

Stephanie Carrero '17, a senior at Brown University majoring in computer science and biology

 

 

 

Jeanette Dilone '06, an actor whose work has spanned television, film, theater, commercials, and new media, and who recently made her directorial debut with the short film, “Return,” followed by a second short,“Rizo," winner of the LatinX Short Film Compteition and airing on HBO.

 

 

Gina Maria Lopez '10, a passionate anti-racism educator, math and reading teacher, and assistant principal at KIPP Academy Boston, a K-through-8 charter school.

 

 

 

Sophie Miller '11, who is pursuing a PhD in chemical engineering at Caltech, where she studies protein expression during sleep and wake using zebrafish as a model organism.

 

 

 

Amnahir Peña-Alcántara '14, who is pursuing a PhD in materials science and engineering at Stanford University.

 

 

 

The panel was moderated by Dr. Glenda Guerrero (computer science/robotics faculty and founder of this initiative) and eighth-grade student Cassandra Ortiz. In an "HM first," a Venezuela-based interpreter translated the Zoom conversation from English to Spanish in real time. The event, which explored and celebrated the unlimited potential of LaxtinX females in our community, was sponsored by the school's Office of Identity, Culture, and Institutional Equity.

Are you an HM alumna who identifies as LatinX and is pursuing a career and/or higher education in a STEAM-related field? If so, please consider volunteering as a role model and mentor for this new program. Participation is flexible but enthusiasm is required! Please contact Kristin Lax at Kristin_lax@horacemann.org for more information. Thank you!