‘Engineering with 2nd Life’ was the theme chosen for EEUM’s participation in the Engenheiras por 1 Dia programme, in the activity ‘STEM LABS: Engineering and Technology Laboratories’, which took place on 3 June at the Viana do Castelo Cultural Centre.

This activity was organised in conjunction with CIGUM – Commission for Gender Equality, IEEE – UMinho Student Branch, CVR – Centre for Waste Valorisation and ToBeGreen.

More than 250 university and primary school students from various schools across the country took part in the activity.

‘Engineering with a second life’ – Nowadays, to talk about engineering is also to talk about sustainability, closed circuits for the use of goods and services, which are increasingly effective in our daily lives and always deserve a second life.

Providing a more sustainable solution from an environmental, social and economic point of view is always a challenge, which is why our activities are demonstrating this paradigm in an increasingly successful way. In the EEUM space, the audience can see some demonstrations of projects in the area of research into new life processes for products and services.

The ‘Female Engineers for a Day’ programme was recognised as a good practice in the latest report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), entitled ‘Gender Differences in Education, Skills and STEM Careers in Latin America and the Caribbean – Insights from PISA and PIAAC’. This international recognition underlines the impact and reinforces the relevance of the Programme in promoting gender equality in access to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

The OECD highlights ‘Engineers for a Day’ as an inspiring example of an initiative that promotes girls’ involvement in technology and engineering from an early age, countering the gender stereotypes that have historically kept women away from these areas. Through practical activities, mentoring, sessions with role models and visits to technology companies and higher education institutions, the programme has made a significant contribution to broadening horizons and increasing young women’s confidence in their ability to pursue STEM careers.

Congratulations to all the members organising this initiative!