The US-Mexico Foundation, in an effort to continue supporting young people interested in studying a STEM career, financed two students to attend a program conducted by NASA at the end of October 2019.

Jonathan Sánchez, from the State of Mexico, was summoned for the third time to participate in a program of the space agency. At his young age, Jonathan can boast, in addition to his multiple awards and recognitions, that a material designed by him is in a trial period at the International Space Station.

Felipe Ávila, a young man from the state of Jalisco, and student of Nanotechnology Engineering, was also chosen to attend this program and will be his third time attending.

We are very proud of Mexican talent and know that we must support it. Someday, students like them, will be the leaders who guide and inspire thousands of children and youth in the country.

The Educational Program with: Ricardo Pablo Pedro aims to bring his story and spirit of perseverance, to young people from low-income communities and in vulnerable situation.

The young people who talk to Ricardo receive a breath of fresh air when he shares his experience and fills them with positive energy and empowers them to continue their studies. Ricardo has achieved what few Mexicans in the science field have and is a powerful source of encouragement for the next generation.

It is important that students see themselves reflected in Ricardo, and realize that dreams can sometimes be difficult to achieve, but not impossible.

Who is Ricardo Pablo Pedro?

Ricardo is a young native of the La Mina community, a Zapotec community in the municipality of Tuxtepec in the State of Oaxaca.

With very few resources, he managed to enter the UNAM, moved from his native Oaxaca to Mexico City to study a career in chemistry. He faced economic difficulties, but he continued his path with a lot of determination and, above all, passion for science.

Upon graduation from UNAM, he applied for a PhD at MIT. A few weeks later he was accepted to study his PhD in Sciences.

Ricardo is the first person of indigenous origin who has graduated from a PhD at MIT, an extremely difficult challenge, which he achieved with perseverance, and the support of people who trusted him.

Enseña por Mexico (Teach for Mexico) is a non-profit organization which attracts the best professional talent and that is committed to solving one of the country's main problems: educational inequality.

This organization creates a network of strategic allies and professional leaders with a profile of excellence and transformational leadership, called Professionals of Enseña por México (PEM). PEM is committed to having a direct impact on the development of Early Childhood (PI) and in the academic and social fields, inside and outside the classrooms at all levels of education (BMS). Enseña por México is part of the International Network of Teach For All, currently in 49 countries, since 2011.

For this mentorship program we have partnered with MXDC, Education USA and Enseña por México (Teach for all, Mexico Chapter)

The "Encuentros" mentorship program will span a total of 14 weeks for mentors and ten (10) weeks for mentees. Sessions will be held weekly, and each session will have a duration of 45 minutes. In addition, mentors must complete a mandatory four (4) hour training that provides them with the necessary tools to serve as successful mentors.

Education USA will facilitate the mandatory training and a program outline that both mentors and mentees will follow.

At the beginning of the program, we will host a workshop to serve as an ice breaker between mentors and mentees. We will also facilitate matching mentors with their respective students based on similar interests. The proposed topics to be discussed during the workshop are:

Subject area interests

• What it's like to be Mexican in Washington DC/United States

• Benefits of a college education

• How to apply to college in the U.S.

• Interview Prep

• Introduction to STEM

Mentees are expected to complete homework assignments throughout the mentorship program. On the other hand, mentors will be expected to assign tasks and evaluate mentees on a monthly basis, with Education USA's help.

MXDC is committed to finding Spanish-speaking professionals to serve as mentors. Mentors should hold an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited four (4) year University in the United States. Mentors should be over 22 years of age, and must be available for the virtual sessions and to answer mentees questions over email.

APPLICATIONS CLOSED