Girls from Boyle Heights Solis STEM Magnet High School take part in international competition at Horizon Hydrogen Grand Prix World Finals, marking their first all-female team.
In the world of clean energy innovation, a remarkable story is unfolding in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. The all-girls team from Boyle Heights Solis STEM Magnet High School, known as Las STEMateras, is set to compete in the Horizon Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP) World Finals. This annual educational competition focuses on hydrogen technology and clean energy solutions, where students design and race hydrogen-powered vehicles.
This participation by Las STEMateras holds significant importance for several reasons. Firstly, it underscores the representation of female students from an underrepresented community in STEM fields, highlighting the importance of gender and cultural diversity in advanced technology areas. Secondly, it offers hands-on experience and public exposure to cutting-edge clean energy technology, specifically hydrogen fuel cells, sparking interest and developing skills in renewable energy solutions. Lastly, it promotes diversity in STEM education and careers, a crucial aspect for inclusive innovation and sustainability efforts.
SoCalGas, a leading gas distribution utility in the United States, has been a key supporter of such opportunities for underrepresented communities. Although specific details about their support for this event are not readily available, SoCalGas has historically been involved in initiatives that advance clean energy education and workforce development for diverse and underserved populations, including hydrogen fuel programs.
SoCalGas' involvement typically includes partnerships with educational institutions like Boyle Heights Solis STEM Magnet High School to promote STEM learning, funding and resources aimed at expanding access to clean energy technologies and career pathways, and sponsorships of competitions such as the Horizon Hydrogen Grand Prix to engage youth in hydrogen and renewable energy innovation.
The Hydrogen Grand Prix challenges participants to design, engineer, build, and race their own hydrogen-powered cars. The competition provides a unique platform for students to apply their STEM knowledge in a real-world context, fostering skills and awareness that can lead to future leadership in sustainable technologies.
Dr. Rocío Rivas, LAUSD Board Member, expressed her pride in the team's international competition opportunity, and Israel Hernandez, teacher coach of Las STEMateras, emphasized the importance of real-world applications of STEM topics for students.
Las STEMateras will compete in the H2GP finals from September 9 to 12 in Anaheim, California. This is the second time Boyle Heights Solis STEM Magnet High School is participating in the H2GP World Finals, having previously competed in 2023 in Las Vegas.
SoCalGas' mission aligns with this endeavour, aiming to build the cleanest, safest, most innovative energy infrastructure company in America. The company is also committed to supporting the communities it serves, working towards equitable opportunities and a carbon neutral future. As part of this commitment, SoCalGas plans to invest $50 million over five years into communities under the ASPIRE 2045 Sustainability Strategy, with a focus on advancing racial and gender diversity in the workplace and preparing young leaders for success.
As the Horizon Hydrogen Grand Prix World Finals approach, the spotlight shines brightly on Boyle Heights Solis STEM Magnet High School's all-girls team, Las STEMateras. Their participation symbolizes an important step in diversifying STEM representation and connecting youth with clean energy careers, with SoCalGas serving as a key supporter of such educational and community empowerment initiatives.
- The story of Las STEMateras, an all-girls team from Boyle Heights Solis STEM Magnet High School competing in the Horizon Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP) World Finals, highlights the significant impact of gender and cultural diversity in the realm of clean energy innovation and environmental-science.
- By participating in the H2GP, students gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge science and technology, particularly in the field of clean energy, specifically hydrogen fuel cells, sparking interest and developing skills in renewable energy solutions.
- SoCalGas, a leading gas distribution utility, supports such opportunities for underrepresented communities, partnering with educational institutions to promote STEM learning, funding clean energy technologies, and sponsoring competitions, like the H2GP, to engage youth in hydrogen and renewable energy innovation.
- The Horizon Hydrogen Grand Prix provides a platform for students to apply their STEM knowledge in a real-world context, fostering skills and awareness that can lead to future leadership in sustainable technologies and education-and-self-development.
- In line with this endeavor, SoCalGas' mission is to build the cleanest, safest, most innovative energy infrastructure company in America while supporting the communities it serves, working towards equitable opportunities and a carbon neutral future.
- With SoCalGas' continued support, Las STEMateras is set to compete in the H2GP finals, symbolizing an important step in diversifying STEM representation, connecting youth with clean energy careers, and promoting data-and-cloud-computing and technology in sustainable initiatives.
