Yucatán Girls Spark Science Dreams at 4,000-Strong Event

Yucatán, Mexico — More than four thousand students from basic and upper secondary education participated in workshops, talks, exhibitions, and experimental activities as part of the events for the State Day of Women and Girls in Science (11F). The activities, which took place between February and March across different municipalities in the state, were aimed at sparking interest in scientific fields.

The Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation (Secihti) coordinated the initiative with 25 allied institutions, including universities, research centers, associations, and collectives. Together, they carried out 238 activities designed to engage students, with a particular focus on inspiring girls and young women.

One participant, Mindi Madaí Chay Morales, a student at the “Wilberto Cantón Moller” High School in Kaua, expressed her fascination with learning about STEM areas—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—through activities such as augmented reality, Mayan mathematics, and origami.

“I loved all of this. A summary of everything I learned is that science has evolved over time and that women are also capable of doing all these things; we need to inspire them, and I think that has been the most important thing: that dreams can be achieved,” Morales said.

Valentina Torres Rodríguez, a researcher at the Technological University of the Center (UTC), emphasized the impact of the events. “I think these activities are extremely important, as they promote the need to imagine, explore and discover new things, as well as address the challenges of their environment,” she explained.

The activities were held in the municipalities of Mérida, Umán, Hoctún, Ticul, Tepakán, Temozón, Kanasín, and Kaua. Events also took place at the police stations of Pisté, in Tinum, and Tixcancal, in Tizimín.

During the closing ceremony, the Undersecretary of Science and Humanities, María Josefina Ojeda Lizama, stated that these events are part of the Mayan Renaissance, an initiative promoted by Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena. The goal is to encourage more girls and young women to recognize themselves as future scientists and develop their interest in knowledge and science.

She also highlighted the importance of fostering curiosity and perseverance as a foundation for personal and professional development.

The ceremony concluded with recognition given to the academic institutions, research centers, and organizations that collaborated in the workshops, talks, and exhibitions. This consolidated a joint effort to promote science in Yucatán.

Participating institutions included CICY, Cinvestav, Cbtis, Icatey, Centro Geo, and UADY—through its Multidisciplinary Unit of Tizimín, the “Hideyo Noguchi” Center, and the Faculties of Engineering and Psychology. Also participating were Ciatej, the ENES Mérida of UNAM, Cecidhy, Dgeti, and the Network of Indigenous Women in Science.

Further participants included the Marist University, the Metropolitan Technological University (UTM), the Technological University of the Center (UTC), and the Ibero-American University, as well as the Technological Institutes of Progreso and Mérida. The Chuk Je'el collective of Dzitás, the Oceánides project, and the Canaco also took part.