We Are Days Away from Launching – Final Program Line-Up Announced

We are just a few days away from launching Building Bridges – Empowering Latina Girls & Moms in STEM, and we couldn’t be more excited.

This 8-week in-person STEM and leadership program is designed for Latina girls (ages 8–15) and their mothers, creating early exposure to engineering while strengthening confidence, identity, and connection.

---

2026 Program Details

Location: Terwillegar Recreation Centre – Edmonton
Dates: March 7 – April 25, 2026
Time: Saturdays | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Participants: Latina girls (8–15) + moms/guardians
Commitment: Registration is for the full 8-week program

Important: Families are asked to commit to attending all sessions, as each week builds on the previous one.

---

2026 Program Line-Up

We are proud to introduce this year’s incredible engineers and mentors:

March 7

Catalyst Leadership Workshop
Mairim Neves – Mechanical Engineer

March 14

STEM Projects & Experiments
Leticia Fantasia – Chemical Engineer

March 21

STEM Construction Project
Laura Soto – Mechanical Engineer

March 28

Catalyst Leadership Workshop
Mairim Neves – Mechanical Engineer

April 4

STEM Projects & Experiments
Zulema Ruiz – Industrial Engineer

April 11

STEM Projects & Experiments
Shirley Fong – Chemical Engineer

April 18

STEM Projects & Experiments
Alejandra Mora – Electronic Engineer

April 25

STEM Projects & Experiments
Caren Ramos – Electrical Engineer

---

Program Coordination & Support

Program Coordinators:

Duannaelba Arone – Chemical Engineer

Erick Magaña – Electro-Mechanical Engineer

Program Volunteer:

Maria Serrano – Industrial Engineer

---

Our Learning Approach

This year, Building Bridges integrates:

• Hands-on engineering experiments
• Design challenges
• Creative problem-solving
• Mother-daughter collaboration
• Leadership development through the Catalyst Workbook for Girls in STEM
• Mentorship from professional engineers

The goal is not only to introduce engineering concepts — but to create belonging, representation, and confidence.

---

Why This Program Matters

Latina girls remain underrepresented in STEM fields.
Early exposure changes trajectories.

When girls see engineers who look like them, hear their stories, and build alongside them — possibility becomes real.

Building Bridges is about:

• Representation
• Confidence
• Leadership
• Mother–daughter connection
• Community

---

Thank You to Our Partners

We are deeply grateful for the support of:

• Alberta Women’s Science Network (AWSN)
• Catalyst
• BalanceFEM
• Tamariz
• Sole Coffee
• Our volunteer engineers
• Our community sponsors

Together, we are building more than projects — we are building futures.