All-girl STEM team to compete in Global Hydrogen Grand Prix World Finals

An all-girls team from Boyle Heights Solis STEM Magnet High School will represent Southern California at the Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP) World Finals in Anaheim, California, from 9 to 12 September. 

The team, known as Las STEMateras, will compete against groups from 14 countries, having built a hydrogen fuel cell-powered remote-control car to race in a six-hour competition. The event allows students to apply their knowledge of clean energy and engineering in a practical project.

This is the second time the school has qualified for the finals. In 2023, their team, Los STEMateros, participated in the Las Vegas Hydrogen Grand Prix World Finals. The H2GP challenges students to design, engineer, and build their hydrogen-powered race cars, fostering innovation and STEM skills.

“We are so proud of the Boyle Heights Hilda Solis High School team for earning a spot to compete on an international stage,” said Dr Rocío Rivas, LAUSD Board Member. 

“Their families and school communities will be rooting for them at every turn because of their teamwork, grit, and innovation.”

The competition is part of a broader initiative to encourage participation in clean energy careers. Despite women making up nearly half of the national workforce, they represent only 32% of the renewable energy workforce, according to Save on Energy. By participating in events like the H2GP, students, particularly young women, gain exposure to STEM fields and hands-on experience that can inspire future careers in renewable energy.

Teacher coach Israel Hernandez, who has guided Las STEMateras through their preparation, emphasised the importance of these opportunities for underrepresented students:

“Being able to work together with SoCalGas to provide these experiences to our youth in underrepresented communities is what drives my enthusiasm and allows me to enjoy the work that I do. The exposure to real-world applications of topics that my students are learning in class is important for them to be able to gain the confidence to pursue careers in the STEM fields where we are underrepresented.”

The H2GP S.T.E.M. curriculum focuses on the skills necessary for California’s energy transition. In addition to sponsoring Las STEMateras, SoCalGas has invested in hands-on educational programmes like its H2 Innovation Experience in Downey and the Junior Achievement Finance Park in Southern California. These initiatives provide students with opportunities to explore careers in sustainability and energy, linking education to real-world energy challenges.

SoCalGas has made a broader commitment to promoting education in clean energy, particularly in communities that are underrepresented in these fields. Under its ASPIRE 2045 Sustainability Strategy, the company plans to invest $50 million over the next five years in communities it serves, advancing diversity in the workplace and working towards a carbon-neutral future.