Promoting STEM Careers and ICT4D by Using Robotics to Reduce the Gender Gap in a Rural Region

Abstract

Costa Rica is a country with more than 800 companies linked to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), but they face a shortage of qualified human resources and most companies are located in the center of the country. In addition, the participation of women is small in those enterprises and in science and technology in general. In Turrialba, a rural region, a local private initiative proposes alternative solutions that include robotics for improving technology literacy and social and economic development. An additional challenge is decreasing a "brain drain" of Computer Science (CS) graduates who migrate to the center of the country, because of the absence of enough ICT opening jobs in rural areas. In spite of the emigration of skilled workforce, many students want to be admitted in a CS program in Turrialba but admission to it is restricted. Opening admission for students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related programs in colleges is a difficult task, but opening opportunities for female students and fostering their interests about STEM is an even harder task.