Third Electric Go-Kart Race: Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Engineers in Puerto Rico
Ponce, Puerto Rico, March 16, 2024 – LUMA held the third edition of the STEM program, Power Your Future, in which 35 female students from ninth to twelfth grade at the Thomas Armstrong Toro Specialized School in Science and Mathematics, a STEM-focused public school in Ponce, built their electric go-karts.
This edition featured the participation of 20 volunteer STEM coaches from LUMA, who collaborated with the students in building their electric go-karts. During five extracurricular sessions at Ana G. Méndez University in Ponce, the students prepared for Saturday’s historic race.
“With today’s event, we celebrate Women’s History Month with the third edition where we have witnessed the hard work and dedication of 35 talented young women who, with the support of their LUMA mentors, have embraced the challenge of building an electric go-kart. As part of this challenge, students had the opportunity to work as a team and solve problems. We recognize the importance of encouraging girls’ participation in STEM fields from an early age, as this not only promotes gender equality but also enriches the landscape of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with diverse perspectives and talents,” said Shay Bahramirad, Senior Vice President of T&D, Strategy, and Sustainability at LUMA.
The UAGM School of Engineering offered the students a conference on a Solar Charging Station for Electric Vehicles designed by its students, enriching the experience of the program participants.
The Museo de Arte de Ponce offered a design and creativity workshop to the students, giving them the opportunity to decorate helmets and go-karts. This activity represents a crucial part of the “People’s Choice,” where creativity and personal style shine.
“With the help of 20 LUMA mentors, they demonstrated that mathematics and science are not just concepts that exist in textbooks; they are the tools that can build a clean and sustainable future that Puerto Rico needs,” added Bahramirad.
To date, the “Power Your Future” program has impacted over 120 students in its three editions, inspiring the next generation of female engineers in Puerto Rico.
About LUMA
LUMA is a Puerto Rican company that, since June 1, 2021, has been operating and managing the electric power transmission and distribution system in Puerto Rico. LUMA is a mission-driven company committed to transforming the electric transmission and distribution system to provide all Puerto Ricans with the reliable, resilient, clean, and affordable electric service they deserve. As a customer-centric company, LUMA’s entire workforce, nearly 4,500 employees strong, is committed to providing exceptional customer service to its 1.5 million customers.
