San José, Costa Rica. Monday, November 16, 2020. Costa Rica’s Children’s Museum (el Museo de los Niños) held today the inauguration ceremony for its new STEAM hall, a very special space that will bring children and youth closer to science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM). This project was made possible, thanks to a collaboration between CINDE and the Museum, with special support from Akamai, Emerson, Establishment Labs, Intel, Maderama, NI, Pulse, Roche, and Johnson andamp; Johnson – companies that joined forces to make this dream come true.
The new room is a place full of technology, tests, games, and much more, all of which will provide unique opportunities to Museum visitors and will inspire and encourage research, curiosity, and interest in STEAM fields.
According to data from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Telecommunications (MICITT), in 2015 and 2016, only 7% of the diplomas awarded in Costa Rica were in fields related to engineering and technology; the average for Latin America was 14%.
Mónica Riveros, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum, commented, “The Children's Museum appreciates the valuable contributions made by all the companies and institutions [who helped], which in coordination with the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency (CINDE) and Museum professionals, today successfully inaugurate this modern hall, which will empower thousands of children and youth to develop their skills and abilities, and to discover a passion for careers in science and technology. Starting today, our visitors will have access to first-world learning and an entertainment space that will help forge a more competitive nation, by better preparing [our youth] for future challenges.”
The new room is comprised of six modules, where visitors will learn about the importance of the scientific method, programming and decoding, product design, manufacturing through technological processes, robotics, and the integration of technology into today’s society.
“As we launch this project, we see one of our dreams comes true, after the hard work of the last several years. Our country ranks number one in Latin America for digital skills; it is very important for our youth to discover the incredible capacity they have for STEAM fields, which are the areas most sought by employers. Within the country, we play host to many of the most important companies in technology, life sciences, services, and many other areas, which demonstrates how our human talent has the capacity to continue as a leader in the region and the world,” explained Jorge Sequeira, Managing Director of CINDE.
This 1,210 square-foot space required a total investment of more than $100,000, which was donated by nine companies, CINDE, the Children's Museum, and other donors who made this room possible through their contributions. The creation, fundraising, and construction process took approximately three years.
The room is aimed mainly at children and youth between 7 and 15 years old, and is part of the regular route visitors take through the museum; it is expected that both children and their companions will enjoy the room and learn a lot from this new adventure.
Visitors will have the opportunity to solve a series of challenges through the use of science and technology. The scene is set: The robot that controls much of planet Earth’s technology has suffered a failure in one of its most important parts; this has caused a technological alert around the world. The lack of internet, added to intermittent electricity and communication systems, are causing serious problems in every corner of the world.
In the new knowledge economy, it is vital to encourage, from an early age, the learning skills and tools necessary to enable the country's future human talent to take advantage of every opportunity the world will offer them. This room will be the first experience for many children to discover that technology and imagination can take them anywhere they choose.
For more information and schedules for visiting the new STEAM room, please visit the Children’s Museum Facebook (Museo de los Niños CR) or send a WhatsApp message to 7003 7070.
Companies that Helped Make This Project Possible
Akamai, Emerson, Establishment Labs, Intel, Maderama, NI, Roche, Pulse, Johnson andamp; Johnson, CINDE, and the Children’s Museum
About CINDE
CINDE is a private, non-profit organization that has been committed to Costa Rica's sustainable development and social progress for 38 years, through the attraction of foreign direct investment in manufacturing industries and high value-added services that generate quality jobs, knowledge transfer, and production chains. CINDE also collaborates in strengthening the Costa Rican business climate in a way that fosters growth of valuable activities in the country, improving the preparation of local talent, and generating employment and greater opportunities for its population in diverse communities around the country.
About the Children’s Museum
The Children's Museum is the only 100% interactive museum in the country and is managed by Help Us Help Foundation (FAPA or the Fundación Ayúdenos Para Ayudar). It offers a wide range of interactive rooms, where children, youth, adults and entire families can enjoy themselves to the fullest, while they learn about topics related to the human body, the planets, archeology, science and technology, dinosaurs, oral health, telecommunications, transportation, savings, and flora and fauna, among many other topics. For more information, please visit the Children’s Museum Facebook (Museo de los Niños CR) or send a WhatsApp message to 7003 7070.
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