Diana Lorena Rubio

Diana Lorena Rubio, who teaches Technology at the Center for Industrial Technology and Services Baccalaureate (CBTIS) no. 118 'Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez', in Corregidora, Querétaro, Mexico, is one of the country’s leading teachers, last year winning the 'Extraordinary Teacher Prize: National Teacher Prize México', promoted by the Movimiento STEAM organization which was created in 2017 to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Mexico. 

She started teaching in 2011 when invited to teach biology in upper secondary education (EMS) and found contact with young people to be magical, knowing she could influence the profile of the citizens of society, and for their benefit with 21st century skills that allow them to face the challenges of the future and with all the opportunities of social mobility. One of her biggest passions was how to influence more girls and women to choose STEAM careers, first getting them interested in the subject and then later forming a STEAM club, where young people transform their ideas and dreams into projects and prototypes where they solve real problems, realising what they at first believe is impossible turns out to be possible, and with the knowledge that a scientist can come from any source.  

With her research experience she uses inquiry methodology, coupled with active learning techniques based on problem solving with a STEAM focus, to create investigation protocols, develop recording tools, experiment, record data and analyse results, apply knowledge to real situations, to design projects and prototypes that have represented the country nationally and internationally. Her students find their education is being shaped in accordance with UN Sustainable Development Goals, that they are also gaining experience in analytical thinking, project management, innovation, creativity and leadership. With an eye on the fourth industrial revolution, she also collaborates with private companies to practice, train and certify with specialists from the industrial sector to further their development as a labour force.  

Her vision of inclusion is seeing increasing numbers of girls pursue STEM courses as graduates, become entrepreneurs and professionals in science vocations. At school there has been an increase in academic performance, 97% attendance and a 5% reduction in the dropout rate. The students are also excelling at national and international science fairs, while Diana Lorena Rubio is lecturing nationwide, a guest speaker at conferences, and collaborating with the Secretary of Querétaro Public Education to train teachers and scale it nationwide. 

Her incredible work ethic and appetite to be a positive force for change has also seen her become co-founder of Scienko México and MujereSTEAMDGETI, organizer of the Mexico Zambia Science Exhibition, National Coordinator of the Innovating Your Dreams program for Mexico, manager of collaborative work with teachers from other countries such as Peru, Egypt and Sweden, Member of the Network for the Disclosure of Science in the State of Querétaro, Member of the Global Educational Association, Coordinator for Mexico at Eco Training Center Sweden, Scientix Ambassador for Mexico, and Organizer of the 1st World Congress of Online Neuroeduation (Mexico).