30 May 2025
Bilbao Campus
On 29 May, the University of Deusto held the closing ceremony of the 2024-2025 edition of the Inspira STEAM Basque Country programme, a pioneering initiative to promote scientific and technological vocations, especially among girls. At the event, which took place in the Atrium of the CRAI Library, the results obtained from this activity based on group mentoring actions between primary school students and professionals from the world of research, science and technology were evaluated.
Each year, more people join this initiative, which is supported by the Basque Innovation Agency, Innobasque, and sponsored by the three provincial councils (Biscay and Álava), BBK, EJIE – the IT company of the Basque Government, Mercedes-Benz Vitoria, Ner Group, Sidenor, ABB, Ormazabal Velatia, the Basque Technology Park, Vidrala, and Arteche.
Throughout this academic year,176 female mentors and 34 male mentors introduced 1,611 girls and 1,735 boys from 61 schools to their professions and the world of STEAM, challenging biases and stereotypes while providing accessible role models. The collaborative work of mentors and schools is essential to achieving the goals of Inspira STEAM, which are to improve girls’ and boys’ attitudes towards science and technology fields, introduce them to local professionals and careers in these areas, and combat limiting stereotypes that influence their choices.
Matemáticas con M de mujer para salvar el mundo
Journalist Begoña Beristain hosted the closing ceremony, which featured speeches by Xabier de la Torre, Head of Marketing at BBK; Trinidad L. Vicente, Director General for Equality at the Provincial Council of Biscay; and Itziar Uribe Leturiondo, STEAM Project Coordinator at Innobasque.
One of the highlights of the day was the masterclass by Clara Grima, mathematician and science communicator from the University of Seville. She emphasised that mathematics is a powerful tool for building a more equal world and stressed the importance of encouraging young women to pursue this scientific field. “We need to overcome the fear that many people have of them, because everyone likes maths—even if some don’t realise it yet,” she said.
The day also included a group activity involving mentors, teachers, and representatives from partner organisations, highlighting the importance of play and experimentation as key drivers for changing the world. The event closed with remarks from Mari Luz Guenaga, head of the Inspira STEAM programme, who thanked the mentors for their time, enthusiasm, and commitment; the schools for their trust; and the partner organisations whose support enables the programme to continue growing.
The 10th edition of Inspira STEAM Basque Country is now underway and is looking for new mentors who want to join this transformative project.
Find out more about the project
