Minimizing the gender disparity in the area of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Computing: the impact of the University on the daily lives of students from public schools from Santa Maria city, Brazil

Abstract

The main objective of this work was to publicize the activities of an extension project, called UniEscola, developed in partnership between the Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil, and schools on the outskirts of the city of Santa Maria located in Rio Grande do Sul. The project brings as a main goal to awaken the interest of girls, students of public schools in the areas of exact sciences, engineering and computing, enhancing their scientific vocations, offering them learnings related to their daily life and training them for the world of work and social protagonism. Several activities were carried out during this period, such as courses, workshops, lectures, scientific initiation activities, visits. As main results, the experience of the participants in the academic environment, demystification of these areas and encouragement of university extension can be highlighted. Finally, the main result was the search and application of knowledge by both school students and university participants.