Durango is now on NASA’s radar. A few days ago, Fernando Alonso Villalobos, a Mechatronics engineer, Master in Engineering and Educational Technology, and who is part of the Anahuac Prep Network and the Cumbres Institute Schools, represented Durango and Mexico at NASA, one of the 14 teachers chosen to be at the Space Educators Conference, or Space Exploration Educators Conference 2025 (SEEC).
Originally from Mexico City, he arrived in the Durango capital two years ago, after the network sent him with the mission of promoting the use of technology in education. His task is to integrate technology into classrooms to enrich subjects such as Spanish, mathematics, history and English, ensuring that students have access to technological tools that improve their learning.
Fernando lived a unique experience when he was selected among 150 teachers to attend NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, United States, from February 6 to 8. This achievement was not only significant for the institution where he works, but also for all of Durango.
It represented a significant achievement both for the institution where he works and for all of Durango, since, as a result of a contest called Expociencias, the initiative of a teaching forum was promoted. Thus, from among the 150 selected participants, only 14 were chosen to represent Mexico at the Space Educators Conference, an event in which they presented their proposals.
During his visit to the NASA center, Fernando had the opportunity to be in the facilities where real missions are monitored, in addition to meeting astronauts, exploring stations such as Falcon 9 and Apollo 11, and participating in specialized workshops. This event, according to him, represents much more than a visit; it was exclusive access to spaces where entry is usually not permitted, which allowed him to learn in depth about the work of astronauts and the efforts dedicated to space exploration.
This achievement also has an educational purpose. Fernando and his team are tasked with replicating everything they have learned in Durango’s educational institutions, both public and private, to popularize the knowledge acquired. Their goal is to become a NASA ambassador and encourage collaboration to send up to three teachers next year, who would be part of a more formal training program of the space agency.
“That is our mission, to replicate, share and strengthen the part of education in the state, in any type of institution, at any level,” said Fernando. In addition, he mentioned that not only can teachers benefit from this collaboration, but that work is also being done so that students can have the opportunity to visit NASA in the future.
Recognition in the Senate of the Republic
The impact of this experience has been such that Fernando and the 13 selected teachers will be recognized in the Senate of the Republic for their outstanding participation. The recognition event will take place next Tuesday, which will provide them with a platform to continue promoting educational innovation in Mexico.
Through a letter dated February 11, Fernando Alonso Villalobos was invited to the awards ceremony this coming February 18 at 1:00 p.m.
“…to recognize the merit of the teachers who participated in the Space Exploration Educators Conference 2025, since it is an international activity that brings together educators from around the world at the Space Center Houston,” reads the invitation.
Source: oem
