A Service-Learning Approach to Promote STEM Studies Among Secondary School Girls

The Universidad Politécnica de Madrid carried out a service-learning experience at the ETS de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos with the aim of promoting engineering careers among secondary school girls. To this end, an activity was organised in which several university female students presented their final year project to a group of secondary school students. The objective of this activity was to show the work of female engineers and to break the gender stereotypes that exist in this field. The results show that secondary school girls feel less capable than boys of being good engineers and are less interested in studying engineering. This data reflects a lack of confidence and identification with these studies that need to be addressed. Bringing women into the world of engineering is a matter of social justice and sustainable development. This activity has proved to be a simple and effective way to intervene in the self-image and expectations of female students and thus contribute to reducing the gender gap in technical careers.