By Mariana Guarnizo, Chief Science Officer, Colombia

What can we learn from the people and traditions around us? That’s one of the questions behind my CSO Action Plan, STEAM Nativo. My project connects ancestral knowledge with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) to create new learning opportunities for children and young people in Colombia.  

I’ve always been interested in science, research, and how knowledge can help people. Through STEAM Nativo, I want to bring these interests together with Colombia’s rich cultural heritage, especially the traditions and knowledge passed down through generations in Indigenous communities.

In May, I had the opportunity to participate in a university event focused on science and social impact projects. It was an exciting experience because STEAM Nativo advanced through the regional and national stages of the event. I also had the chance to share my idea with others and make connections that could help move the project forward.

One of the main ideas behind STEAM Nativo is that science and learning can be connected to wisdom that already exists in our communities. Indigenous communities have generations of experience and knowledge about nature, the environment, and the world around us. There are so many ways these traditions connect with STEAM subjects, and I want to help young people discover those connections.

As part of my research, STEAM Nativo has mapped more than 17 Indigenous communities across Colombia. This work is helping us explore ways to bring students, educators, and community members together through hands-on activities, research, and cultural exchange.

Being a Chief Science Officer has helped me take an idea that matters to me and start turning it into a real project. Through CSO, I’ve learned how important it is for students to take initiative, speak up about issues they care about, and find ways to make a difference. STEAM Nativo gives me a chance to put those lessons into action.

My hope is to keep growing STEAM Nativo into a project that gives youth new ways to explore science while learning about the cultures and traditions that are part of Colombia’s history.

We still have a lot of work ahead, and our upcoming community meeting is a great next step. I’m looking forward to learning from the people involved and seeing how the project develops.

I’d also love to connect with others who are interested in this work! Educators, researchers, scientists, artists, Indigenous knowledge holders, and organizations interested in STEAM and cultural education are welcome to reach out. There are many ways to share ideas, and get involved.

You can learn more about STEAM Nativo and connect with me through www.steam-nativo.lovable.app, email me at [email protected], or follow the project on Instagram at @steam_nativo.