Institute of the Americas 2019-2020 Annual Report

A Time of Transition

Mission Statement & Summary

Chairman’s Letter

President & CEO Joint Letter

Energy & Sustainability

STEAM

Environment & Climate Change (EC²)

Tribute to Ambassador Theodore E. Gildred, II

Financial

Governance Our Team & Supporters

2020 marks the 12th year of the initiative and the adoption of a new name, STEAM from STEM. In 2018, the Institute took a step back, reevaluated its initiative and re-launched it to meet the changing needs of its students. These changes have been accelerated due to the educational access demands across Latin America due to COVID-19.

SCIENCE * TECHNOLOGY * ENGINEERING * ART * MATHEMATICS

The Science & Innovation Summer Camp brings talented students from different countries together for unique collaborations with university scientists and researchers from a wide range of studies and highly interactive, experiential learning, as well as opportunity to share their cultures and develop their leadership and entrepreneurial skills that only the STEAM initiative can provide. STEAM Labs provide younger students with opportunity to explore more of the sciences, and connect with young and experienced STEAM professionals. The Professional Training Workshop for STEAM Instructors provides solid project- based learning and teaching pedagogy, expanded scientific knowledge, and classroom lessons to teachers to better engage students in STEAM subjects. Americas is able to encourage and shape students to become scientific leaders in the 21st century. Over the past two years, several program changes were instituted: a new program team was recruited; additional instructors were retained; in-country programs were developed for Mexico and Argentina; new partnerships developed with education ministries, public officials, universities, research institutes and NGOs; and a new program activity, STEAM Lab launched. Through its local and international programming, the Institute of the

In early 2020, the Institute organized a teacher training workshop in Buenos Aires with the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, other planned STEAM programming both in-country and at the Institute had to be re-envisioned virtually. Here, our team focused on how we could deliver our high quality, project-based learning and multi-disciplinary teaching pedagogy virtually yet still incorporate interactive, hands-on science and math activities. During these challenging times, we successfully pivoted, delivering high quality programming, and are excited to further amplify our work to reach larger Latin American audiences thereby increasing our impact. In the region there is a critical need to address the potential long-term decline in education in the Americas due to COVID-19. There are a growing number of children and youth who struggle with school closures, distance learning or connectivity throughout the region. In the coming year, we look forward to reaching more students and teachers through our STEAM programming with the goal of helping to prepare Latin America’s future workforce.

The Professional Training Workshop – La Jolla 2019 – During this session the teachers were dissecting a calamari while seeing how an activity like this could be taught in an interdisciplinary way to incorporate every aspect of STEAM

Maria Belén Saavedra from Bolivia—first time visiting the Pacific Ocean learning about marine biology

2019 Science & Innovation Camp

Science & Innovation Summer Camp 2019 – These students were learning about Microalgae cultivation and bio products and how to create biodiesel at a UC San Diego laboratory

STEAM Lab 2020 – This student was participating in the chemistry session to solve a simulated crime during the August virtual STEAM Lab

9 INSTITUTE OF THE AMERICAS // ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020