Patricia Ortiz, a Salvadoran NASA engineer, inspires youth regarding science and technology
The Salvadoran aerospace engineer Patricia Ortiz,who works at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center, visited school centers in the country as part of an initiative to promote scientific research and national talent, according to the Press Secretary.
Ortiz serves as a project manager at NASA and participated in educational activities in the department of La Paz, where she held gatherings with student communities to motivate young people to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Direct message to Salvadoran students
Patricia Ortiz resaltó la importancia de la perseverancia y la formación académica. “es un honor poder representar y inspirar y motivar a las niñas salvadoreñas y también a los estudiantes no solo aquí en El Salvador… también a Latinoamérica».
Asimismo, añadió que pese a los retos, «dificultades o falta de recursos», es importante mantenerse firme en la meta y no detenerse hasta alcanzarla.
Ortiz's visit also included the promotion of her initiative Kids Need Space, an organization focused on fostering STEM education among students in Latin America, the United States, and Europe. According to the Ministry of Education, this project seeks to develop scientific skills through hands-on experiences and motivate young people to envision themselves in technological careers.
Tour of educational centers in La Paz
According to the Ministry of Education, the engineer visited the Complejo Educativo Católico Nuestra Señora de La Paz, where she learned about projects developed by students in technological fields. Among these, the following stood out:
- Robotic arm prototype
- Conveyor belt
- Digital clock
- Vehicle named Techmove Car
She also visited the Instituto Nacional de San Miguel Tepezontes, where high school students presented initiatives such as a ane with a proximity sensor for people with visual disabilities, as well as a driving simulator.According to the Ministry of Education, these projects reflect the practical application of scientific knowledge into solutions for communities.
NASA Career and Space Projects
Patricia Ortiz has more than 21 years of experience in the aerospace industry and has worked on high-profile NASA programs, including Artemis, CHAPEA, X-56, and the International Docking Adapter.
Currently, she serves as the acting branch chief for Space Projects and Partnerships at the Armstrong Flight Research Center, where she leads collaborations with government and industry, according to Inspira STEM
The Ministry of Education reported that Ortiz played a key role in programming the sensor for the Orion capsule's heat shield for the Artemis mission, vital technology for the success of the spacecraft that returned this month after orbiting the Moon.
“Having contributed my grain of sand to the Artemis II mission and being a special guest at the launch was a moment in which I felt great pride in representing Salvadoran women in STEM and Latina women; being part of a historic milestone that will take humanity further than ever, beyond the Moon,” the engineer expressed.