The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) and the City of Coral Gables recently signed an agreement to promote STEM education in the Americas, co-sponsor STEM-related events and promote fundraising through partners that support common objectives.
“Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math is key for the future leaders of our great city, and advances our mission to make Coral Gables an international hub for innovation and technology.” said Coral Gables Mayor Raúl Valdés-Fauli.
Envisioned by city counder George Merrick as “a gateway to Latin America,” Coral Gables was designed to be an international city. Now, it is home to more than 20 consulates and foreign government offices, 150 multinational corporations and prominent education institutions including the University of Miami, the Kellogg School of Management Executive MBA Program and Coral Gables High School’s flagship STEM academies.
Resulting from the partnership, PADF and the City of Coral Gables plan to hold a joint annual international event to bring stakeholders together to share best practices and experiences in STEM education in the Americas.
“STEM education can help change our future, as STEM students seek to tackle real-world challenges creatively. STEM skills open doors to employment opportunities in infrastructure, technology and engineering,” said Katie Taylor, executive director of PADF. “Engaging girls and women in STEM can help us shatter glass ceilings. STEM education could be key to helping women secure employment in industries that don’t have historical gender biases, thereby bridging the digital gender gap.”
Latin American students continue to rank at the bottom third worldwide in math, reading and science, according to the latest PISA survey. The region’s poorest students are over two years behind their wealthier counterparts, reports the Inter-American Development Bank. As job markets increasingly demand employees with STEM skills, promoting STEM education is vital to the prosperity of future employees and corporations alike.
Under the #STEMamericas initiative, PADF currently implements STEM education programs in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Panama. Boeing, the Dart Foundation, Exxon and other institutions have partnered with PADF to advance STEM education in the Americas.
The Pan American Development Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that unites civil society, governments, and the private sector to promote sustainable livelihoods, strengthen democracy, promote justice and security, and improve disaster resilience in Latin America and the Caribbean. Established by the Organization of American States in 1962, PADF has worked in every country in the region. Last year, more than 10 million people benefited from PADF’s work in sustainable community development. To get involved, visit www.padf.org.
