Ten young students from the Ecuadorian Amazon are traveling to the United States on September 27, 2026, to visit NASA’s Space Center Houston. Selected from 100 candidates aged 14 to 17 across public schools in Orellana and Sucumbíos, these students excelled in natural sciences, biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics through the ‘Líderes al Espacio’ initiative.
The Journey of the Amazonian Students to NASA
On September 27, 2026, ten remarkable teenagers from the Amazon region of Ecuador will pack their bags for a transformative educational journey. Selected from a pool of 100 public school students between the ages of 14 and 17, these girls distinguished themselves through exceptional academic performance in natural sciences, biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
Here is why that matters: the initiative, known as ‘Líderes al Espacio’ (Leaders to Space), is a collaborative effort driven by the FIDAL Foundation—led by Rosalía Arteaga—in strategic partnership with SLB Ecuador.
Inside Space Center Houston: Immersive Learning and Artifacts
Established in 1992, Space Center Houston has welcomed more than 26.6 million visitors, drawing roughly 1.3 million people annually to its sprawling 250,000-square-foot educational complex. The facility houses over 400 space artifacts, interactive exhibits, and immersive experiences celebrating the rich history and future of America’s human spaceflight program.
During their stay, which runs through October 3, 2026, the Ecuadorian students will explore cutting-edge concepts. Rosalía Arteaga explained that the participants will learn specifically about designing lunar habitats and operating robots destined for future space missions.
| Metric / Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Travel Date | September 27, 2026 |
| Return Date | October 3, 2026 |
| Participant Demographics | 10 girls, aged 14 to 17 |
| Geographic Origin | Orellana and Sucumbíos, Ecuadorian Amazon |
| Program Organizers | FIDAL Foundation & SLB Ecuador (‘Líderes al Espacio’) |
| Space Center Houston Annual Visitors | Approximately 1.3 million |
Interactive Exhibits and Hands-On STEM Training
The visiting students will have access to a vast array of educational infrastructure designed to demystify aerospace engineering.
Among the primary attractions are virtual reality simulators that guide students through a spacewalk aboard the International Space Station, replicating the breathtaking views from low Earth orbit. Motion simulators utilize powerful hydraulic systems and theater technology to mimic the physical sensation of launching into space.
Students will also embark on NASA tram tours of the Johnson Space Center for an up-close look at human space exploration infrastructure. Permanent exhibits include a full-scale replica of the Space Shuttle Independence mounted on the historic NASA 905 carrier aircraft, alongside the ‘Starship’ gallery featuring flown spacecraft and national treasures.
The Broader Educational Impact
Beyond the hardware, the facility offers specialized learning environments. Students can touch an authentic lunar rock, examine neighboring galaxies within a high-tech planetarium utilizing advanced astronomy software, and test Newton’s laws of motion by executing simulated rocket launches.
The Center for Learning Innovation (LInC) serves as one of the premier science teaching resources in the United States, aligning closely with scientific standards. For these ten young leaders from Orellana and Sucumbíos, the immersion offers a rare window into the global scientific community.
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