Mariela Ocón Ramos shared at the NASA facilities with young people from different countries in America. Photo: LR composition / Scheila Tolentino / ella She is Astronauta
Mariela Ocón Ramos was just a student at the Nuestra Señora de la Merced Educational Institution in Cajamarca when she received the news that she would be part of the crew of young people who would visit the NASA Space Center in the US. The Cajamarcan achieved this merit after being selected among more than 1,400 applicants from different countries, thanks to the She is an astronaut program.
In addition to visiting NASA’s Houston facilities, Mariela Ocón also received classes where she was trained in programming and robotics. La República spoke with Ocón Ramos and collected her inspiring story.
Mariela Ocón managed to go to NASA and has big dreams
Mariela Ocón Ramos spoke with La República during the ICT Women Conference, who lead, inspire and create change, promoted by Huawei, UNI and other institutions; and made in Cajamarca. In this lecture, she recounted how she got the opportunity to travel to the USA and be at NASA.
“There are no limits, you set the limits,” is the motto of Mariela Ocón, whose father is a construction teacher and her mother is a housewife. Precisely this way of thinking led the young woman to have a first foray with the US Embassy, where she won a scholarship with the “Integrity idol” program.
Mariela Ocón Ramos represented Peru at NASA. Photo: LR composition / she She is an astronaut / Scheila Tolentino
After that first achievement, he did not stop and applied to different programs and scholarships. That way, she signed up for the She is an astronaut program. Despite not having a passport or visa, she applied along with thousands of other candidates to travel to NASA and train in programming and robotics.
Without expecting it, Mariela Ocón received an email in her email inbox informing her that she had been selected to attend NASA. She and her family members were very emotional, she remembers. This space incursion nourished her in such a way that she began to lean towards the sciences.
“I might not have thought about studying engineering when I was little, but now I am very convinced that this field is something wonderful and that it opens up many more opportunities for you,” she said.
As for the career she will follow, she is still not very sure, but she has three engineering projects in her sights: geological, mining or civil. She also plans to have a greater presence in volunteering to motivate more young people like her to achieve her dreams.
Mariela Ocón said that she found her inspiration in her older sister, who is a professional. In turn, the young woman hopes to be an example for her two younger brothers. “I want to be an example for them and for them to surpass me much more,” she said.
How to apply for the She is astronaut call?
Young women seeking to obtain a vacancy in the She is an astronaut program must comply with the following requirements:
- Be between 11 and 16 years old.
- Be a student of a public institution basic, secondary or technical secondary education and have excellent academic performance.
- Belong to the extreme poverty, moderate poverty or vulnerable population groups, according to the criteria of the Household Targeting System (Sisfoh).
- Have internet access and technological tools necessary for the development of the program, whether their own or provided by their institution.
- Have a responsible guardian.
- Not having a family relationship with a public official in decision-making positions.
- Not having participated in any of the program missions, whether in person or virtual.
The application is made through a form available in the She is foundation website. Questions regarding the call process are received by email [email protected].
