Writing of STEM women’s biographies in Wikipedia format, an opportunity to improve cross-curricular competencies

Abstract

The presence of women in careers and studies in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is very low. The reasons for this under-representation are diverse and include the scarcity of female role models in these disciplines. In this communication, we show an activity to provide female references to engineering students. The activity, developed in the degree in Chemical Engineering, consists of writing the biography of a STEM woman in Wikipedia format, and has been designed in such a way that it also serves to connect the subjects of Physics and Technical English. In addition, this task aims to improve cross-curricular competencies such as information management capacity, written communication in native and foreign languages and critical thinking. The results of this task have been satisfactory. On the one hand, the students have increased their knowledge about female contributions to Physics and Chemical Engineering and, on the other hand, there has been an improvement in cross-curricular competencies