Today, I want to take a moment to celebrate the past 20 years of my journey in science and technology outreach—a journey that has now been recognized with the Optica's Diversity & Inclusion Advocacy Recognition in 2024 and the SPIE Diversity Outreach Award in 2025. I am deeply grateful to SPIE, Optica, and the committees for these honors.
Most of my outreach work has been as a volunteer, and reflecting on that reminds me of the first time I tried to volunteer. In 1995, the remnants of the Zapatista guerrilla movement had brought global attention to the social conditions of Indigenous communities in my home region, Chiapas, Mexico. The International Red Cross was recruiting volunteers to provide medical assistance and education to those in need, and I was determined to help in any way I could. But during the interview, I was asked what I expected to gain from the experience. I failed the interview—because, at the time, I couldn't even comprehend that volunteering is not a one-sided act of giving; it must also be an exchange.
Years later, when I was pursuing my Master's in Astrophysics, STEM outreach entered my life. As graduate students at INAOE in Puebla, Mexico, we had a duty to engage the public through telescope nights. I remember being anxious—what if the weather didn’t cooperate? What if I let people down? And then it happened: the clouds rolled in, and the stars disappeared. I scrambled to use my backup show with the help of tech, a computer and a projector, convinced that it would be a poor substitute. But to my surprise, the families in attendance were mesmerized. Even without the real sky, they were captivated by the Universe. That night, I realized the true magic of outreach: the inspiration we offer is always returned to us tenfold.
Since then, I have participated in, designed, and organized numerous outreach events—some filled with challenges, others with unexpected and profound rewards.
One particularly memorable experience took place in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, when a group of students from INAOE traveled south to bring science outreach to a local fair—an initiative I helped organize. We had everything ready—experiments, materials, and excitement—but the weather had other plans. A massive hailstorm struck, scaring away most of the expected attendees. The public event, meant to reach so many, seemed like it would be a failure.
But then, something extraordinary happened. In San Cristóbal de las Casas, there is an ongoing social challenge—many Indigenous children work in the streets selling chewing gum and candies, struggling to access even free education. That day, with the city practically empty and our experiments set up, they became our audience. These children, who rarely had the opportunity to engage with science, explored, played, and asked endless questions. Instead of a formal outreach session, it became a moment of pure discovery. Seeing them fully immersed in curiosity and joy remains one of the most touching moments of my journey.
Another unforgettable experience happened in Charlotte, where my team and I were invited to do outreach at a high school. Unlike our usual events, where students come willingly, these students had no choice but to attend. The atmosphere at the beginning was heavy—their expressions distant, skeptical, even intimidating. We could feel the resistance.
But something shifted as the event progressed. The talk and hands-on activities sparked curiosity, small smiles appeared, and by the end of the session, engagement had taken over. What made this event even more special was that the facilitators were students themselves—serving as role models to the attendees. If you see it, you can become it.
By the time we wrapped up, not only had their skepticism faded, but they even wrote thank-you notes for the sponsors—an emotional and unexpected moment that reaffirmed why I do this work.
Not every experience has been easy—there were moments when I felt disheartened, when some attendees were only interested in collecting a participation stamp to claim a reward rather than engaging with the science. But those moments are far outweighed by the joy of seeing curiosity spark in someone’s eyes, of witnessing people of all ages connect with the wonders of the Universe and Light.
Today, I want to acknowledge and celebrate the past, express my deepest gratitude to my collaborators, to the organizations and institutions that have supported our efforts, and especially to the sponsors—the decision-makers who placed their trust in me and my team. And, of course, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Optica and SPIE for recognizing our work.
Who knows what the future holds? But one thing is certain: I will continue as a volunteer. Because in the end, I receive far more than I give—I receive inspiration. ✨
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