Judith Puente Cavazos

The fellowship was a transformative experience that allowed me to learn and grow in ways I never imagined and meet people from other countries. Thanks to this program, I now have a clearer vision for my future and my organization. I feel inspired to pursue a career in STEM and make a meaningful impact in Latin America. The lectures and events not only strengthened my interest in scientific and technological areas, but also gave me practical tools to better organize myself and achieve my goals.

Judith Puente Cavazos is a high school student from Mexico passionate about engineering, environmental activism, and community service. Growing up, Judith loved building and programming robots, and she’s now focused on engineering projects that blend her STEM skills with a commitment to the environment. Currently, Judith is working on a trash-collecting robot and developing an app to promote environmental awareness among students. She’s also building a car for the F1 in Schools competition!

In addition to her STEM pursuits, Miriam is deeply committed to her community. She co-founded Purec, an organization aimed at raising environmental awareness in rural areas of Mexico, and recently partnered with Creando Un Cambio to produce an educational video series. Read on to learn more about Miriam’s journey, her passion for engineering, and her vision for a sustainable future!

Meet Judith

How did you initially became interested in STEM, and what subjects are you the most interested in?

My interest in STEM started when I was about six years old. I attended a summer camp focused on robotics, and I loved building the robots. We worked on computers, following images and instructions on our own, which was really challenging but also exciting. After that, I began looking for more robotics courses and opportunities, and I just really enjoyed it.

Later, I took a programming course where I learned about different programming languages, like Python and JavaScript. Using Javascript, I created a couple apps and video games. I made a restaurant simulator game and a game similar to Angry Birds. I loved the process of coding everything and seeing my code come to life. As I grew older, I became really interested in engineering. Now, I’m particularly interested in the intersection of engineering, physics, and chemistry.

What extracurricular activities do you enjoy participating in?

Right now, I’m taking a robotics class where I’m learning about Arduino and designing robots. We’re planning to build one of our designs in January and hope to compete in March. I also created a robot designed to collect trash on the streets, which I think is one of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on. Beyond robotics, I’m involved in the F1 in Schools competition, where I teamed up with other high school students to build a car! I’m also planning to take a mechanical engineering course soon to learn more about the field since it’s something I want to study in the future.

Recently, I participated in the Chemistry Olympiad and qualified for the second round in Mexico City! I’m currently waiting for results to come back, and I’m excited to see if I’ll advance to the national level.

Outside of STEM, I’ve been learning German. I think the language is very interesting. I also enjoy volunteering in my community and care deeply about civic engagement.

Could you tell us more about your interests outside of STEM?

Outside of STEM, I’m really interested in political activism and community involvement. I’m part of the Latin American Leadership Academy (LALA), an organization founded in Colombia that connects young people across Latin America who are passionate about creating positive change in their communities. We’ve been working on projects that focus on improving education across Latin America.

For example, my sister and I recently visited a museum to teach STEM classes to kids aged 4 to 11. We made rockets with paper and simple materials to spark their interest in science and show them that pursuing STEM fields like engineering is possible. Many of these kids come from low-income backgrounds and may not have been exposed to subjects like STEM, so it’s exciting to show them a new perspective on what their future could hold.

I’m also passionate about climate change and environmental activism. My sister and I started an organization called Purec, which aims to raise awareness about environmental issues in a rural community in Cuautla, Morelos, Mexico. Through Purec, we hope to make a positive impact on the local environment and encourage sustainable practices in the community.

Summer Aspiration

What was your favorite part about the fellowship?

I think my favorite part of the fellowship was how we were encouraged to reflect after each session and do an activity to actually apply the skills we learned. This helped me take more away from each session. For example, I really enjoyed the deliverable we did after Jenny’s Fireside Chat, where we had to design an app and actually create it. I got really into it and designed an app to remind people to drink water throughout the day. Also, I enjoyed the reflection we did after Erin’s Fireside Chat. She taught us about the importance of personal growth and reflection, and we had to reflect on our personal growth and set goals for the future. This helped me learn more about myself and proactively plan for the future.

What was your favorite event or talk from the summer?

I’d have to say Lorena’s talk was my favorite! I felt a strong connection with her because I found a lot of similarities between her and myself. She’s a first-generation immigrant who went to Harvard, and she’s also from Mexico. Hearing about the challenges she has overcome was very inspiring. Her message to never give up and to keep “knocking on doors” really resonated with me. She encouraged us to make the most of our situations, create our own opportunities, and, most importantly, work to make a difference in the lives of those around us. Her words have really stuck with me.

What was the most valuable skill you learned from the summer?

I think the most valuable skill I learned from the summer had to be time management. Before the fellowship, I wasn’t very disciplined. Through the fellowship, I learned about techniques like the 25-minute Pomodoro technique, which I continue to use in my everyday life. I’ll work for 20 minutes, take a 5-minute break, and then go back to work. I found this helped me become more productive and efficient.

Becoming better at time management has helped me a lot because I’m involved in a lot of activities now. Over the summer, we used Google Calendar, which I’ve continued to use in my daily life. I use a calendar to put in all my activities and set specific times for each task to time block. I also started using the app, One Sec. I used to look at my phone a lot, but the app helps me find a balance between my activities and checking my phone.

Future Aspirations

What are your career aspirations and longer-term goals?

Over the next five to ten years, I hope to finish my degree and then pursue a master’s or PhD, ideally in environmental engineering. I think it’s an area that will be critical for the future. I’d also love to start a company with my siblings, combining engineering and medicine since my sister wants to go into the medical field. The fellowship helped me realize that engineering is definitely what I want to study, and it also showed me how impactful research can be. I learned that research doesn’t just benefit the people around you—it has the potential to make a global impact.

Are there any environmental issues you’re specifically passionate about tackling?

I’m especially concerned about the issue of littering. I’d love to find a way to reduce trash on the streets and encourage people not to litter. I’m also worried about extreme weather conditions. There are so many intense climate events happening around the world. For instance, there was a huge storm recently in Valencia, Spain, that destroyed cars and houses. I think we need better ways to manage and mitigate these conditions to prevent them from becoming more extreme.

Are there any new projects you’ve been working on after the fellowship?

Yes! We’re excited to continue growing Purec, and we’re currently developing an app to help raise environmental awareness amongst students by providing educational resources. It’s still in progress, but I’m excited to see how it develops!

Additionally, using the cold emailing skills we learned over the summer, my sister and I reached out to potential collaborators and partners for our organization. Now, we’re partnering with a Mexican organization called Creando Un Cambio to create a video series, which I’m really excited about as well!