By: Ashmar Mandou

The University of Illinois in Chicago Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) hosted “Noche de Ciencias” (Night of Science) on Saturday, Nov. 3rd at Instituto del Progreso Latino to showcase the talent of young students in STEM field. Noche de Ciencias is a national event that occurs to increase interest and promote science, technology, engineering, and math. In Chicago, the event included hands-on activities that showed students in 6th through 12th grades the creativity of engineering while supplying them with information on STEM education and careers. “Our mission is to support our members to successfully achieve in their careers and empower our community to strive for similar success. Noche de Ciencias is an opportunity for SHPE to inspire families to get involved in STEM and help to answer important questions about college,” said Daisy Cueto, a student in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, in a statement. “It is crucial that we advocate to our community because we do not always receive the same opportunities or information. As students who are fortunate to be studying STEM in a university, we are determined to mentor and inspire younger students.”

Center report, Hispanic workers continue to be underrepresented in the STEM workforce, making up 16 percent of the U.S. labor market but only seven percent of all STEM workers. SHPE changes lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support and development. Its vision is a world where Hispanics are highly valued and influential as leading innovators, scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. To learn more about STEM opportunities and the UIC College of Engineering, visit http://engineering.uic.edu.

Photo Credit: Stephanie Paredes, UIC College of Engineering
Photo Caption: UIC’s Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers hosts “Noche de Ciencias” (Night of Science) at Instituto del Progreso Latino to help propel an interest in STEM.
Photo Caption: Eager youth at Instituto del Progreso Latino receives hands-on experience during “Noche de Ciencias.”