‘Matematikhariak’, BCAM’S scientific outreach initiative wins the Special Gender Perspective Mention at the STEAM Euskadi Sariak Awards

• Matematikhariak is aimed at students (Primary, Secondary, Bachiller, and Vocational Training) and aims to bring mathematics closer to them in a playful way outside the classroom.
• These awards, organised by the Department of Education in collaboration with the Basque Innovation Agency-Innobasque, are part of the STEAM Euskadi Strategy, which seeks to recognise and highlight the best practices in promoting the educational model that encourages early STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) vocations.
• This BCAM initiative has also received the STEAM Euskadi Seal in this same call.

BCAM has won, with its initiative MATEMATIKHARIAK, the Special Gender Mention of the fourth edition of the STEAM Euskadi Sariak Awards, in the category of ‘STEAM education initiatives promoted by socio-economic entities’. These awards are organised by the Department of Education of the Basque Government in collaboration with the Basque Innovation Agency-Innobasque, within the STEAM Euskadi Strategy. The Special Gender Mention also comes with a financial endowment of 1,000 euros.

The awards were presented this morning by the Minister of Education Jokin Bildarratz at the La Perrera building in Basurto. Alongside the minister, the event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Education Begoña Pedrosa, the Deputy Minister of Universities and Research Adolfo Morais, and the Director of Planning and Organisation, Nicolás Sagarzazu. From the Basque Innovation Agency, the General Coordinator of Innovation Policies, Alaitz Landaluze, participated.

Matematikhariak is aimed at students (Primary, Secondary, Baccalaureate, and Vocational Training) and seeks to bring them closer to mathematics outside the traditional classroom setting. Through workshops, visits, and various activities, this initiative aims to show students and Vocational Training students the practical applications of this science, thus fostering their interest and understanding.

Additionally, this initiative has also received the STEAM Euskadi Seal, which recognises and highlights the best practices in promoting the educational model that encourages early STEAM vocations.

For BCAM, the dissemination of mathematics and making them as accessible as possible to society is of vital importance, as is promoting mathematical knowledge and contributing to breaking down gender barriers in the scientific and educational fields. The gender perspective in Matematikhariak is, undoubtedly, one of the main axes of the programme, present both in the selection of STEAM professionals who accompany students in the visits and scheduled activities, and in the design of their activities and communications. From its experience, BCAM, through all the dissemination initiatives it is part of, such as BCAM-Naukas Pi Day, Emakumeak Zientzian, Charlas de Bidebarrieta Kulturgunea, Jóvenes del Programa Bizilabe, Pint of Science, or Parekoen Topaketa de Elhuyar Zientzia, emphasises the existing gender gap in STEAM sciences, promoting reflections and debates among the professionals and students who participate in the initiative.

“At BCAM, we believe that by making mathematics more accessible and attractive to everyone, we are cultivating a new generation of passionate young people prepared to face future challenges. We are immensely grateful for the STEAM Euskadi Sariak awards, not only for the recognition of Matematikhariak, but also for the creation of these awards. Initiatives like this are essential for promoting interest in STEAM disciplines and actively collaborate in ensuring equal opportunities for all,” declares Lorea Gómez, manager of BCAM.