The 'Aquae STEM' program affects the promotion of scientific and technological vocations among Primary Education students with the participation of half a hundred schools throughout Spain of which 10 are Andalusian.

Although there are more women than men among college students, their presence in science, math, computer science and engineering careers (known as STEM) is significantly reduced. A 'glass roof' that aims to break Hidralia and its foundation, Aquae Foundation, through its 'Aquae STEM' program that has an impact precisely on the promotion of scientific and technological vocations among Primary Education students.

This ambitious project has started this course and will be developed in 50 public, concerted and private schools throughout Spain without distinction. More than 3,500 students will be reached. In Andalusia, thanks to Hidralia, there will be a total of 10 centers that are part of the program, reaching in this case a total of 500 girls, from second to fourth primary, to arouse their interest in science through challenges related to sustainable development, and more specifically on the world of water, which they will have to solve using innovation and creativity as vehicles to inspire them.

A challenge with a clear vision for the future when you consider that the demand for these professional profiles is growing exponentially. This contrasts with the low rate of female participation in STEM careers and professional environments, so there is a risk that the current professional gap between men and women will grow further.

"Today the demand for STEM professionals is growing to a greater extent than that of professionals from other sectors. In fact, growth by 2025 will be 8% compared to the expected 3% for all occupations. However, the number of men and women who opt for these training itineraries decreases each year. In Spain only 13 out of 1,000 people completed studies in these fields. Of these, only 26% are women," explains Matilde Mancha, director general of Hydralia, who today presented girls from 2nd to 4th Primary of Las Chapas de Marbella this project, which aims to encourage them and make known from another perspective the subjects focused on careers "STEM".

Mancha has explained the importance of promoting such activities from an early age. Therefore, Aquae STEM is implemented from Primary, in order to promote a culture of analysis and scientific thinking from the beginning, through problem solving and innovation. Several studies show that increasingly the creation of vocations, the development of divergent thinking and the promotion of creativity is generated at younger ages. It is at this age that students are more permeable and receptive to messages and above all transmit and facilitate debate in the family environment, fundamental to achieving the transformation of perceptions and stereotypes.

In this way, an eminently practical and age-appropriate learning method will be carried out, which will develop students' confidence to define problems and design their own solutions through exploration and scientific method. The program incorporates activities using a methodology capable of seducing younger students to arouse their interest in STEM knowledge, while also improving their skills of collaboration, communication and creativity.

The programme poses challenges related to sustainable development, and more specifically on the world of water, with a structure that is articulated through three axes of work:

- Firstly, the conduct of a teacher-led debate presenting a situation that leads to the group's reflection on STEM. These discussions replace the usual theoretical classes, as it has been shown that the active participation of students leads to better reception and retention of the contents.

- A workshop will then be held, the main activity of the program, where girls solve two challenges in the classroom, through the construction of a simple machine using the materials provided in the LEGO education program. These challenges will raise awareness of the sustainability and preservation of the environment.

- In the last phase of development of the project will be carried out an online activity, where students will work in small groups and know a new challenge that they will have to solve using a basic programming language to get acquainted with the digital environments present in today's society.

The Aquae STEM project directly and explicitly involves your immediate environment (colleagues, teachers and family) and includes teacher training, classroom methodologies and activities, an accompaniment program, and educational resources to incorporate STEM autonomously, easily and funly into the classroom. In addition, it is integrated into the curriculum plan of each course, associated - among others - with the subject of Nature Sciences of Primary Education (LOMCE).

Training, Awareness-raising and engagement

Matilde Mancha highlighted during the presentation of the Project the commitment of Hidralia - a company that is committed to technology, innovation and focused on Sustainable Development - with the training of young people in environmental awareness and equity. "Stem careers being the driving force behind innovation, inclusive growth and sustainable development needs to be given a boost so that the women of the future have the same opportunities today," she said.

In addition, the director of Hidralia recalls that the roadmap followed by the company's strategy is aimed at achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, so this project of its foundation aims to contribute to the achievement of SDS 4, which infers in Quality Education; SDP 5, linked to achieving Gender Equality, and SDP 6, focused on Water and Sanitation."

Aquae STEM is thus part of the educational and awareness bet that Hidralia and its participating companies have been materializing in Andalusia for years with initiatives such as literary contests, drawing contests, corporate volunteer actions, participation in conferences and congresses, etc. Particularly note are its environmental education programmes, with 'Aqualogy' as flagship, focused on raising awareness among the little ones about sustainable management of the environment in general and water in particular. Nearly 30,000 Andalusian schoolchildren and young people have benefited from these programs over the past three years.

If a school wishes to be part of the project, or to gather more information, you can call 913 621 096 or write to aquaeimpulsastem@fundacionaquae.org.