THE MARIANO Marcos State University received a grant of $10,000 from the US Department of State’s Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund to run an immersion science camp for underserved girls in Ilocos Norte.

The project dubbed “Girls STEM Camp with MMSU Women in Science” will benefit 50 girls from remote high schools in the region.

The science camp will be held from February 13 to 19, 2022 at the MMSU National Bioenergy Research and Innovation Center. It will tackle science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

The project was initiated by Dr. Fiorello Abenes, former US Senior Fulbright Fellow and Professor Emeritus at the California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and Dr. Jan Rich A. Guira, Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program alumnus and MMSU’s chief for student development.

Abenes said the project aims to close the gender gap in STEM disciplines by investing in girls’ education and giving them the motivation, community, and confidence they need to pursue jobs in such subjects.

By the end of the camp, he noted, participants should have a greater interest in science and a better understanding of science-related careers.