PPG Renews Partnership with STEM Talent Girl Program in Spain

PPG is renewing its partnership with the STEM Talent Girl program, an educational initiative by the ASTI Foundation that empowers young women in Spain to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). PPG has been supporting the program for over five years.

The STEM Talent Girl program is expanding its reach to more cities, aiming to engage more than 1,000 students annually. It addresses the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields by fostering early interest and connecting participants with accomplished female mentors. The program fosters both academic and personal development and bridges the gap from secondary school to university and the workforce via a three-stage framework:

• Science for Her: Engages secondary school girls with foundational STEM concepts and career insights.
• Mentor Women: Connects participants with female STEM professionals who guide and inspire them.
• Real Work: Provides practical exposure and problem-solving opportunities during the transition to university and professional life.

“By supporting the STEM Talent Girl program, PPG is helping to break down barriers for young women in STEM and building a pipeline of diverse talent for the future,” said Nuria Martinez, PPG plant manager, Valencia. “It also emphasizes employee engagement, with PPG women participating as mentors to guide students and share their own experiences in STEM careers.”

ASTI recently issued a report highlighting the critical challenges in fostering STEM interest among young women. It underscored the pivotal role of teachers, educating families about STEM careers and early exposure to female role models in shaping a strong STEM identity. The report found that students participating in the STEM Talent Girl program demonstrated significant improvements in all aspects of STEM identity compared to their peers.

The STEM Talent Girl program addresses these challenges by inspiring students, providing mentorship, and creating a strong network of future female STEM leaders. The program is available in 15 cities across Spain and has recently expanded to include Valencia, Malaga, and Zaragoza.

“The support of PPG is invaluable in helping us expand the STEM Talent Girl program to new cities and inspire more young women,” said Lucía López, director of Institutional Relations for the ASTI Foundation. “Through its engagement, PPG is not only contributing to the program’s growth but also showing students the real-world possibilities of a STEM career.”