Adopting the STEAM approach at ITAF
The Smurfit Westrock Technical, Agricultural and Forestry Institute (ITAF) is a high-quality rural education establishment operating across three sites in Colombia, in the municipalities of El Tambo and Cajibío in Cauca, and Darién in the Valle del Cauca. ITAF provides children and young people from local communities with a comprehensive education, supporting their community development and helping to reduce urban migration.
ITAF is a proud adopter of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) methodology as an innovative educational approach, which helps foster sustainable development, bridge the technological divide and promote the inclusion of girls in traditionally male-dominated fields such as engineering.
Through this approach, ITAF students are developing new technological solutions that promote automation and innovation in agriculture.
One notable example is that of Mariana Montero, an eighth-grade student at ITAF El Tambo. Working with her classmates, Mariana developed a prototype of an automated irrigation system to improve efficiency in a greenhouse. This project includes two intelligent systems: one that automatically adjusts moisture levels and another that maintains an optimal temperature for crops. The initiative aims to support local farmers, and seeks to increase agricultural productivity while reducing environmental impact, demonstrating the value of science and technology in promoting social welfare and sustainability.
In recognition of the project, Mariana was awarded the Scientific Challenge prize by Banco de Bogotá in 2024 and received recognition at the STEM Women Congress Latin America 2024, an event promoting the empowerment of women in scientific and technological fields.
“We are extremely proud to see how our educational program encourages students to develop large-scale, impactful projects. Our mission is to continue deepening the use of methodologies like STEAM because we understand they are essential for closing the technological divide and promoting the inclusion of girls in high-potential fields like science and engineering.” - Adriana Realpe, Coordinator of Smurfit Westrock’s Colombia Foundation education program
Smurfit Westrock has a deep commitment to supporting the communities in which we live and work and championing the vulnerable. Each year, our employees generously give their time, energy, and expertise to empower communities, promote wellbeing and protect our planet.