Code Breakers & Changemakers Scholarship

“You’ve been on that thing for hours, you’re going to hurt your eyes” my mother told me. It was another day of the week playing Minecraft and continuing building my farm for my modern mansion. Growing up, I’ve always been drawn to computers specifically and loved coding games. As a female raised in a Mexican-Salvadorean household, a job in STEM was never fully expected. It was set for me to be a housewife in a large house who cleans and cooks all day as most women in my family have. However, although these traits have made life easier, I want to make a real difference in the STEM world, specifically in technology. I dream of being a software engineer and advance technology in ways that help companies help people. I personally have never seen myself in any other field and know I am passionate enough to pursue this fully. I am passionate about STEM because of the potential it has to make a positive impact on the world. STEM allows us to create solutions to global problems, from developing new technologies to improving health care and education for ALL people. I plan to make a positive impact on the world through my STEM career by creating solutions that make a difference in people's lives or lifestyle. STEM, overall, is the reason why the world has evolved! Through the books I’ve read, I’ve learned about the importance of being able to think critically and solve problems quickly. This has shaped my goals by inspiring me to develop my skills in problem-solving and critical thinking. Additionally, I’ve learned about the importance of collaboration and working together to create something bigger than ourselves. STEM is a field that brings together a diverse range of knowledge, skills, and perspectives, and it is this combination that I believe makes it so powerful. I believe that STEM can help create a better world, as it provides solutions to a variety of global challenges. I plan to use these skills to work with other individuals and organizations to create solutions that make a real difference in the world whether it’s programming games to put a smile on children’s faces, or developing software for hospitals to those in need.

STEM has the potential to make a positive impact on the world in a variety of ways, and I am particularly interested in using it to combine the arts and technology in innovative and impactful methods. One example of this is my current urban design project with my partner, which is focused on restoring the LA River. Through this project, we are using 3D modeling software to design sustainable and practical solutions that consider the historical and cultural context of the river and its surroundings. The LA River, once a vital resource for the Tongva people, has been dramatically altered by industrialization. The riverbed was concreted during the 1940s to prevent flooding during heavy rainfall, but this unintendedly destroyed the natural ecosystem and disconnected the city from the river. In recent years, there have been efforts to restore the river and bring it back to its natural state, but it's a complex and challenging task. Using 3D modeling software, I can create detailed visualizations of our design concepts and simulate different scenarios, allowing us to make informed decisions about which solutions will be most effective. This project taught me the importance of understanding a place's historical and cultural context to create sustainable and practical solutions. It reminds me that technology is not an end in itself but a tool that can be used to achieve a greater goal. In this case, the goal is to restore the river's natural ecosystem, create a more sustainable and livable city, and reconnect the community with the river. Additionally, my interest in STEM has been further shaped by the books I've read and the articles I've read about the industrialization age and new technology. I've learned that STEM is not just about solving technical problems but also about understanding broader societal issues and how they are interconnected. For example, the industrialization age brought many technological advancements, pollution, social inequality, and other harmful effects. Understanding these historical perspectives has helped me appreciate the importance of using technology responsibly and to create solutions that are not only technically sound but also socially and environmentally sustainable. In the future, I plan to continue using STEM to positively impact the world. I am particularly interested in using my 3D modeling and urban design skills to work on projects that address critical issues such as climate change, social inequality, and sustainable development. Through my studies and work, I hope to gain the knowledge necessary to make a real difference. In conclusion, I am passionate about STEM because it has the potential to make a positive impact on the world. My interest in combining the arts and technology to create innovative solutions is exemplified by my current urban design project, which aims to restore the LA River using 3D modeling software. This project taught me the importance of understanding a place's historical and cultural context to create sustainable and practical solutions. Additionally, my interest in STEM has been shaped by the books and articles I've read, which have helped me understand the relationship between STEM and various societal phenomena, such as weather, electricity, and politics. This has shaped my goals to use STEM to solve technical problems, address broader societal issues, and contribute to a more just and equitable world.

STEM has interested me since a young age. My father is a mechanic and seeing him work intrigued me. So, there would be days when I would go to a wrecking yard and help him out. At the wrecking yard, we would remove engines and other parts. Then we would take these parts to repair cars. My father also showed me the intricacy of building homes. He built small shed-like homes by hand. I took part in the construction and I watched a plot of land become a home. I learned quickly that a lot of work goes into building homes. Much inspiration comes from my father and this is why I want to pursue civil engineering. I am also inspired by the engineering program at my high school. I learned some valuable skills such as drafting. I also learned how to use 3D designing and printing. I plan on pursuing civil engineering to be able to create my own business. I want to create a business that involves the construction and transportation of materials. Preferably, I would like to also have heavy machinery rentals as well. I am under the impression that if I create a business then I will be able to create more jobs for people. I also plan on using some of the money I get from my business to help fund tuition for underprivileged students. At first, I was not very fond of math because I was not the best at math. It wasn't until high school that I realized that I should take math more seriously. Math started clicking with me with ease and I decided to pursue more challenging courses. I am a firm believer in the idea that knowledge is power and that the minute you stop learning you start dying. I want to obtain as much knowledge as possible for my future. This is why I plan on going to a university and gaining as much information as possible. I have not read many books on STEM subjects except on engineers. These books also inspired me on how great one person can be. That they could be able to create something bigger than themselves. I also plan on helping my family out of poverty. My family has supported me throughout my life and believes in me. I know that I have the potential to do great things and so I know that my family deserves it. They deserve a better and brighter future and I may be able to help the next generation never suffer the woes I endured.