Speaker · STEAM communicator

Talks and workshops that launch careers

I bring aerospace, space origami and data science to schools, universities, conferences and companies. My goal: to help more girls and young people discover that science and engineering are for them too.

Maria Alejandra Botero giving a talk on aerospace engineering in Colombia
Topics

Talk topics

Every talk is tailored to the event, the age group and the audience. I speak in Spanish and English.

Inspirational · Career

From Abejorral to the stars

Building an aerospace dream

The story of how a girl from eastern Antioquia dreamed of spaceships and planets and became the first woman to graduate as an aerospace engineer in Colombia. A talk about perseverance, undergraduate research groups and the real possibility of building an aerospace career from Colombia.

Technical · Outreach

The art of paper folding

A source of inspiration for the design of aerospace structures

Origami, the art of folding paper into three-dimensional objects, has inspired the design of ever more compact and versatile structures. Today, mathematical models of origami and computer-aided design make it possible to create, analyze and simulate deployable structures.

Leadership · Equity

Women in science and engineering

The gender gap, mentoring and community

An honest look at the gender gap in science and engineering: the numbers, the barriers and the role of mentoring. Drawing on my experience as president of the Colombian Association of Women in Aerospace (ACMA), I share how scholarships, mentoring and support networks open doors for more women in the aerospace sector.

Space · Colombia

Why talk about space in Colombia?

Space technology in our territory

Space technology is already part of our daily lives: communications, navigation, weather and Earth observation. In this talk I show why space matters for Colombia and why it is much closer than we think, with examples of how satellite data helps us understand and care for our territory.

Formats

How can I take part in your event?

Keynote

45 to 60 minutes + Q&A. In person or online, for large audiences.

“Space origami” workshop

90 to 120 minutes. Participants fold real patterns such as the Miura-ori and get a hands-on feel for the math and mechanics behind them.

School visits

Close-up sessions with primary and secondary school students to spark an early interest in science.

Panels and discussions

As a panelist or moderator at forums on science, technology, sustainability and gender equity.

Track record

Where I’ve spoken

  1. Días de la Ciencia FilBo, Bogotá International Book Fair (MinCiencias)

    Discussion Bogotá, Colombia

  2. Forum «De regreso a la Tierra: Colombia, ciencia y tecnología en la era Artemis» (Back to Earth: Colombia, science and technology in the Artemis era) (MinCiencias)

    Panel Maloka, Bogotá · Read the article

  3. «La Misión Artemis II», MinCiencias livestream

    Discussion Online · See the event

  4. IV Encuentro de la Red STEM Latinoamérica (4th Latin American STEM Network Meeting)

    Talk Cali, Colombia · Watch the recording

  5. ExpoEducación Medellín 2024 discussion (Geek Girls LatAm)

    Discussion Medellín, Colombia · Watch the recording

  6. IX Foro Jóvenes Generación 5.0

    Talk Cartagena, Colombia

  7. Colombo Maker Week: “Women in science and engineering” talk and “Space origami” workshop

    Talk and workshop Barranquilla, Colombia

  8. STEM Women Congress Latin America

    Talk Bogotá, Colombia · Watch the recording

  9. Scientific Challenge Banco de Bogotá

    Talk Bogotá, Colombia

  10. 74th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) and Space Generation Congress

    International presentation Baku, Azerbaijan · Nebula Award (SGAC)

  11. EAR and Olympus analog missions, HAdEES-C station

    Commander Chía, Colombia · Fundación Cydonia

Research

Scientific publications

Organizing an event?

Let's launch your audience into orbit

Tell me about your event: institution, date, city, audience and format.