COVID Support: Young Scientists INVENTING TOMORROW

I met Jesús Martinez, José Elizalde and Fernando Sanchez while searching for students who were solving environmental projects in their own backyards, so I could document their journey to the International Science & Engineering Fair as part of our Peabody Award-winning feature documentary, INVENTING TOMORROW.

As I got to know these three young men, I was struck by their extraordinary vision and work ethic. They had the courage to observe the dangerous air pollution in their city, Monterrey, Mexico and decide they had to do something about it for the greater good of their community. They showed a clear sense of purpose, and a tenacity that’s rare for people their age. I’m happy that audiences at Windrider Bay Area got to meet Jesús and José when they came with me to screen INVENTING TOMORROW and share their hopeful and urgent message. 

Since we finished the film, all three young men have continued their studies at Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León in Monterrey, getting excellent grades and remaining in good standing. José and Fernando are studying Materials Engineering, with an interest on porous asphalt so rainwater can re-enter the watershed. Jésus is studying Communications, with an interest in Science Communications on environmental issues. They all hope to find good jobs someday, either in academia, or the industrial sector. 

Jésus says, “We’re going to school so we can learn how to make the world better. We realized we can be the change, by coming up with solutions.”

The COVID19 crisis has been devastating to many across the globe, and the young men and their families are no exception. They need financial support to be able to continue to attend school, study English, support their families, and not have to take jobs outside the home during the pandemic, which would increase the risk of infection for themselves and their community. They are committed to continuing their studies in English so that they can eventually pursue their dream to come study in the United States. They also realize speaking English is essential for international communication in research and commercial science. 

More information about Jesús, José, Fernando and the grant is below. Thank you so much for anything you can do to help. 

Sincerely, 

Laura Nix
Director/Producer of INVENTING TOMORROW


HELP YOUNG SCIENTISTS STAY SAFE & COMPLETE THEIR EDUCATION DURING THE ONGOING GLOBAL PANDEMIC

We are fundraising for a grant to cover school fees, household expenses, and language tutoring for Jesús, José and Fernando, (and one laptop for José) - three young scientists from Monterrey, Mexico featured in the award-winning documentary INVENTING TOMORROW, as their family income and education continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

WHO ARE JESUS, JOSE & FERNANDO? 

These three university  students are based in Monterrey, Mexico and are currently attending Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, where they continue their studies in Materials Engineering with a focus on environmental solutions. When they attended the world-renowned International Science and Engineering Fair in 2017, they presented their research on photo-catalytic paint in order to address the air pollution in their hometown.

To learn more about Jesús, José and Fernando and their scientific research, please visit the Inventing Tomorrow web site. 

HOW YOUR DONATIONS HELP

Without this grant, the young men will have to interrupt their studies and put themselves and their families at risk by taking work outside the home during the ongoing global pandemic.  These funds support their tuition, fees, household expenses, one laptop, and an English language teacher who will tutor the young men online over the next six months. 

HOW FUNDS WILL BE USED 

$2000 USD - Household expenses for 2 months for the three young men and their families, which includes groceries, utilities, phone & internet

$2000 USD - School costs for the year for all three young men, including tuition, fees and books

$450 - Laptop for José

$1000 USD - Biweekly language lessons for 6 months for all three

$275 -  Foreign Wire Fees (5%)

$290 USD - Processing and transaction fees including GoFundMe fees (5%)

DONATE TODAY AND SUPPORT YOUTH CLIMATE LEADERS!

THANK YOU!