With the goal of promoting female participation in scientific fields, 47 cities across Latin America hosted Ada Lovelace Day 2024. The 3rd edition of the Latin American STEM Workshop Journey, aimed at girls aged 10 to 12, took place from September 27 to October 26 in various locations throughout the continent.
In 2024, the event featured cities from Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, and Colombia. In Brazil alone, there were 18 locations—six more than the previous year’s edition. The event was organized by professors from the Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales at the Universidad de Buenos Aires (FCEyN-UBA), the Facultad de Ingeniería Química at the Universidad Nacional del Litoral (FIQ-UNL) in Santa Fe, Argentina, and the Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Ingeniería y Agrimensura at the Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), also in Argentina.
The Brazilian Society of Applied and Computational Mathematics (SBMAC) supported the event in Brazil for the third season and the second consecutive year in the country. The Women in Applied and Computational Mathematics Thematic Committee of SBMAC led the organization of the 18 participating universities, bringing Ada Lovelace Day 2024 to 13 states across all five regions of Brazil from September 27 to October 26.
The Fluminense Federal University (UFF) in Niterói (RJ) was one of the locations that hosted activities during the 3rd STEM Workshop Journey | Photo: SBMAC
During the event, workshops exploring STEM topics were conducted in a playful, dynamic, and interactive manner. Mirela Vanina de Mello, coordinator of the Women in Applied and Computational Mathematics Committee at SBMAC, highlighted that the number of activities available in Portuguese in 2024 was greater than in the previous edition.
"This year, the Women’s Committee, with the support of site coordinators, translated three additional activities. As a result, site coordinators could choose two activities for their workshops from a total of five options. Additionally, in 2024, we received financial support from SBMAC, which allowed us to purchase materials, T-shirts, and other resources for the participating girls," Mirela explained.
The Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM) hosted Ada Lovelace Day activities at several campuses, including Tabatinga | Photo: SBMAC
In addition, the professor from the State University of Santa Cruz, in Ilhéus (BA), recalled that universities had more than one hub for activities. At the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), for example, the enriching experience of Ada Lovelace Day was able to reach girls from hard-to-access municipalities.
"UFAM participated with Manaus and four other hubs. Three of these cities can only be accessed by boat or plane. So, look at where Ada managed to reach, highlighting the impact of the event on the lives of hundreds of girls who dream of becoming scientists," added Mirela.
In total, more than 1,800 girls and 800 collaborators participated in the 3rd Latin American Journey. Each venue was coordinated by professors from these universities, with the collaboration of other faculty members, undergraduate and graduate students, as well as teachers and volunteers from the participating schools.
Professor Mirela Vanina de Mello (on the right) led activities for Ada Lovelace Day 2024 at the State University of Santa Cruz (UESC), in Ilhéus (BA) | Photo: SBMAC
For Mirela, the goal of Ada Lovelace Day was once again successfully achieved, as it kept young students' interest alive in continuing their studies in STEM fields, contributing to the increase in female participation in such areas and, of course, empowering the new generation of researchers.
"I consider Ada Lovelace Day 2024 a success for several reasons. The larger number of hubs, a wider range of activities. Many girls who participated in 2023 returned to lead activities this year. Lots of girls participated and interacted, there was a hub that produced a film, and the girls praised the event a lot. It was gratifying to be part of this event because of the happiness and affection from these girls. And it’s so rewarding to plant the seed of science in their hearts from an early age," concluded the Coordinator of the Women in Mathematics Committee of SBMAC.
Who was Ada Lovelace?
Born in England in 1815, Ada Lovelace was the daughter of Lord Byron, a British poet and one of the greatest figures of Romanticism. From an early age, she was educated by prominent scientists of the time, such as Augustus De Morgan, the first professor of Mathematics at the University of London. Later, Ada became friends with Charles Babbage, a mathematician who aimed to create an Analytical Engine capable of performing calculations using specific functions.
While translating a manuscript of a lecture by the scientist Luigi Federico Menabrea, Ada added a series of notes, including an algorithm for the Analytical Engine to compute the Bernoulli Sequence. In other words, she developed the first algorithm to be executed by a Turing machine, a theoretical device considered the precursor to the modern computer. For this reason, she is regarded as the first computer programmer in history.
In her honor, Ada Lovelace Day celebrates her contributions and encourages female participation in STEM fields.