Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Education Alliance of the Americas
Colorado Chapter of Partners of the Americas
Ana Prieto, M.S., Ph.D.(c)
Nicolás Arízaga, M.A., M.P.P.(c), M.S.(c)
Program Coordinators
The STEAM Alliance of the Americas is a hemispheric network that promotes educational, scientific, and entrepreneurial collaboration among students, educators, researchers, professionals, and institutions across Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, and the United States. It was established through a partnership between Universidad Nacional del Comahue (Argentina) and the University of Texas at Tyler (USA), which in 2024 carried out an academic exchange supported by Partners of the Americas and the 100K Strong in the Americas initiative.
Objectives
Strengthen a strategic hemispheric alliance in STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics)
Encourage active learning methods like project-, problem-, and phenomenon-based approaches, emphasizing multicultural perspectives
Promote scientific entrepreneurship with workshops on intellectual property, innovation, and business model design
Assist in gaining entry to graduate programs in the U.S., with support from mentors and admissions teams
Train a new generation of STEAM Citizen Diplomats to lead scientific collaboration in the region
Advisory Board
Dr. Juan Arratia, Ph.D., M.S.
Dr. Aletha Cherry, Ph.D., M.A.T.
Dr. Duilia de Mello, Ph.D., M.S.
Dr. Teresa Kennedy, Ph.D., M.O.
Dr. Michael Odell, Ph.D., M.A.T.
Dr. Abi Paytoe Gbayee, Ph.D., M.A.
University of Texas at Tyler Exchange
Tyler, Texas & Dallas, Texas
February 17, 2026 - February 20, 2026
The STEAM Education Alliance of the Americas: University of Texas at Tyler Exchange is a comprehensive educational program that lasts approximately 3 months and includes a 4-day in-person academic immersion in Texas. It brings together participants from Argentina and Ecuador to explore the link between STEAM education and entrepreneurship, hosted by the Colorado Chapter of Partners of the Americas in partnership with the University of Texas at Tyler, with key support from faculty leaders Dr. Teresa Kennedy and Dr. Michael Odell.
The program structure involves extensive online preparation from early January to mid-February 2026, before arrival. It includes academic and business English training through Language Thread, LLC, along with three progressive final project workshops that cover research, intellectual property, business planning, and presentation skills. Participants receive mentorship and participate in one-on-one clinics to develop their individual STEAM-related projects.
The core immersion experience occurs from February 17 to 20, 2026, in Tyler and Dallas, Texas, where participants visit the UT Tyler and UT Dallas campuses. A key component of the program is the STEAM Education Workshop, led by Dr. Teresa Kennedy and Dr. Michael Odell, whose expertise and guidance provide participants with cutting-edge insights into entrepreneurial approaches to science education. These faculty mentors also help connect participants with the STEAM Education Alliance Advisory Board, ensuring they benefit from their extensive academic networks and innovative teaching methods. Primary activities include visits to the Center for Biomedical Research and the Jasper Department of Chemical Engineering, exploring graduate programs, and networking with researchers.
Following the Texas experience, the program continues with post-departure requirements through April 2026, including three mandatory mentor meetings, a final report writing lab, and culminating in final project presentations. Led by Dr. Kennedy and Dr. Odell, this multi-phase approach aims to foster entrepreneurial thinking in the sciences, build international collaborations, and empower participants to become ambassadors for STEAM innovation and hemispheric cooperation in education and research.
An Entrepreneurial Look Into the Sciences
District of Columbia, Colorado & Wyoming
February 23, 2026 - March 8, 2026
The STEAM Education Alliance of the Americas: An Entrepreneurial Look Into the Sciences is a comprehensive educational exchange program sponsored by Partners of the Americas and the U.S. Department of State. It lasts approximately three months and features a 13-day immersive experience in Washington, D.C., Colorado, and Wyoming. The program brings together participants from across the Americas to explore the connection between STEAM education, entrepreneurship, and innovation, hosted by the Colorado Chapter of Partners of the Americas.
Fields of Study:
Artificial Intelligence
Quantum Computing and Science
Biomedical Engineering and Science
Computer Science and Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Environmental Science and Engineering
Art in the Sciences
The program structure includes comprehensive online preparation from early January to mid-February 2026, before arrival. It features academic and business English training provided by Language Thread, LLC, along with three progressive workshops focused on research, intellectual property, business planning, and presentation skills. Participants receive mentorship and participate in one-on-one clinics to develop their individual STEAM-related projects.
The core immersion experience starts on February 23, 2026, with participants spending four days in Washington, D.C., where they interact with federal institutions, including Partners of the Americas and the U.S. Department of State, to explore STEAM opportunities in diplomacy, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for intellectual property processes, and the U.S. Copyright Office for copyright education. Cultural and educational visits to the Smithsonian Institution museums, the Catholic University of America, and the Microsoft Innovation & Policy Center provide participants with diverse insights into STEAM innovation and research in the nation's capital.
The program then moves to Colorado from February 27 to March 8, 2026, where participants stay with host families while participating in intensive visits to top institutions' laboratories, including the University of Northern Colorado, Colorado State University, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Anschutz, University of Colorado Denver, and the University of Wyoming. Participants also visit the National Center for Atmospheric Research and the Posner Center for International Development and enjoy a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park to explore Colorado's natural beauty. Each participant is given personalized lab tasks over four full days, allowing for in-depth engagement with research facilities and potential mentors.
Following the immersion experience, the program continues with post-departure requirements through April 2026, including three mandatory mentor meetings, a final report writing lab, and culminating in final project presentations. This multi-phase approach aims to promote entrepreneurial thinking in the sciences, establish lasting international collaborations between the U.S. and Latin America, and empower participants to become ambassadors for STEAM innovation and hemispheric cooperation in education and research. The program celebrates the 60-year history of the Colorado Chapter of Partners of the Americas, reaffirming its dedication to fostering cross-cultural exchange and scientific progress across the Americas.
Participants
Ages 21-30
Advanced undergraduate (50% of degree completed) students
Graduate students
Early career researchers
Early career professionals
Mentors and university leaders
Expected Outcomes
Enduring academic and scientific collaboration networks
Seed projects in research, innovation, or entrepreneurship
Fair access to training and career growth opportunities
Joint theses, binational courses, collaborative publications, and scholarship applications (including Fulbright)
Support for graduate program applications and admissions
Building an active hemispheric STEAM community
Dissemination of results and partnerships with regional impact