Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers are growing at an accelerated pace and pay well. However, Puerto Rican women are still underrepresented in these fields, especially in engineering, physical and computer sciences. 
 
The "Semillas de Triunfo" (Seeds of Success) program of the organization Ciencia Puerto Rico, offers each school year, a complementary curriculum with the goal of increasing girls' exposure to science, meeting Puerto Rican and Latina scientists who serve as mentors and role models, connecting STEM fields with the culture and context of their communities, and helping girls develop leadership skills and see themselves as capable of being successful in these disciplines.
 

The nonprofit organization distributed a total of 250 posters and other educational materials about Puerto Rican and Latina women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to be displayed in schools and to expose young people to culturally relevant role models.

On February 11 the world celebrates International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This day, which recognizes the crucial role of women and girls in science and technology, was established in 2016 through a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly. Some of the most relevant points of this resolution, in my opinion, are the promotion of (1) full and equal participation for women and girls, both in their education, as well as their work environment and (2) full participation by women and girls in decision making in science.

Last Saturday will stay with me forever. It was September 5th, 2015 and I had traveled to Puerto Rico (3,600+ miles and over 10 hours) for the second workshop of the Semillas de Triunfo (Seeds of Success) STEM Ambassadors Program, in Humacao. This program, created by Ciencia Puerto Rico in collaboration with Yale University and the Amgen Foundation, gives middle school girls the opportunity to learn about careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and explore how through these disciplines they can become leaders and agents of change in their communities. The program is near and dear to my heart and me and my colleagues have been working really hard on it (three workshops down, one to go).