Abstract
Traditionally, the energy systems area, or any science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics (STEM) area, in general, has been male- dominated. Because of this, women in these fields have had a tendency to stand down when it comes to aiding in innovation and practicing a profession within specific fields, such as energy systems. To counteract this effect, research and educational activities have been designed at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus (UPRM) to create an enriching, hands-on-experience in energy systems for current and future female undergraduates. This paper describes how the department of electrical and computer engineering has developed educational strategies to increase the female participation in the energy systems area at UPRM. Some of these strategies include: a) Deliver hands on experience to prospect high school and freshmen college students, with special emphasis on female participants b) Enhance teamwork skills in project development and interdisciplinary work c) Create lasting interest in the study and design of energy systems. Activities based on these strategies range from building simple photovoltaic arrangements and small induction motors, to computer programming. The strategies presented in this paper have already been integrated with the mechanical, and the electrical and computer engineering class curriculums. They are aimed at creating awareness of the vast fields in the energy systems area with the intention of making females students take the initiative of developing themselves as professionals in these fields.