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Patricia Ortiz, the Salvadoran NASA engineer who inspires youth

Patricia Ortiz, a Salvadoran aerospace engineer from NASA, visited schools in La Paz to motivate young people to study 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 highlighted the importance of perseverance and academic training. “It is an honor to be able to represent, inspire, and motivate Salvadoran girls and also students, not only here in El Salvador... but also in Latin America.”

Likewise, she added that despite the challenges, “difficulties or lack of resources,” it is important to stand firm on the goal and not stop until achieving it.

The trajectory of NASA aerospace engineer Patricia Ortiz includes her participation in leadership roles within the Artemis program.

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.

Patricia Ortiz during her visit to the Instituto Nacional de San Miguel Tepezontes, in La Paz Centro. / Photo: Ministry of Education

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. 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.

Source: https://www.elsalvador.com/noticias/nacional/nasa-la-paz-educacion-tecnologia/1271218/2026/