Mexico’s Movimiento STEM and Related Developments in the State of Querétaro

Abstract

In Mexico, the organization Movimiento STEM has created Ecosistema STEM, an initiative to aggregate independent STEM education institutions, build partnerships, and build dynamic programs that leverage government STEM education initiatives. This chapter contains the story of Movimiento STEM’s work, and focuses on efforts made in high schools in Querétaro, Mexico. After presenting the national context, the authors share how the United States-Mexico Foundation for Science (FUMEC) brought the Engineering Bases Program (EBP) to the highly industrial state of Querétaro. The goal of EBP is to increase theoretical and technical knowledge and skills of students, starting in high school, and moving them into technical vocations. EBP increases the chances of students joining the STEM labor force or continuing their education in STEM areas. EBP helps complete the Virtuous STEM and Economic Development Cycle described in this volume: (a) local government encourages collaborative work between industry and education; (b) extracurricular education in STEM adds to official programs, and (c) local industry recruits prepared young people, some of whom give back by helping more youth enter STEM fields. Overall, by fostering scientific vocations through multiple levels of Mexico’s talent pipeline, Movimiento STEM is helping drive hard-to-achieve rapid educational reform in Mexico’s STEM education system.