The students impacted over 47,000 people within their communities with science outreach projects.
San Juan, May 9, 2026 – One hundred and six 7th to 9th grade students from public and private schools in the Humacao, Ponce, Mayagüez, and San Juan regions achieved the goal of graduating as new scientific leaders. The 2025-2026 class completed the cycle of workshops and educational activities of the Semillas de Triunfo (Seeds of Success) program by Science Puerto Rico, which celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year.
The students paraded in the theater of the University College of San Juan in Hato Rey, in a white coat investiture ceremony that characterizes professionals in the field of science, and which featured the special participation of the program's godmother, meteorologist Deborah Martorell.
A total of 94 students received the special distinction of STEM Ambassadors (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), upon completing their science outreach projects and reaching over 47,000 people in their school environment and communities. Over the past 10 years, the Semillas de Triunfo program has trained approximately 796 students from across the island, who in turn have reached over 155,000 people through these projects.
Among the featured projects, Ileinis Ruiz Durán presented "The Invisible Magic of Magnets", where she used a model of a flower and a bee to visually demonstrate magnetic force. Similarly, Amira Zoe Viruet Hilerio developed "Innovation with Inclusion: STEAM and Autism", focused on promoting inclusive educational experiences and raising awareness about autism in STEAM spaces. For her part, Ahimelec Ayeriann Figueroa Sánchez presented "STEM: 4 Letters, Infinite Possibilities", which included the creation of the song "STEM in PR" and an educational book about Puerto Rican female scientists.
"Seeing these young students transform into STEM Ambassadors is a testament to the immense leadership potential that exists in Puerto Rico. By completing their workshops and outreach projects, they have not only acquired knowledge in the STEM field, but have also taken on the social responsibility of inspiring others within and outside their school environment," said Dr. Liz Hernández, manager of CienciaPR's Semillas de Triunfo program.
“What I loved most about the Seeds of Success Program was that it allowed me to learn more about STEM, especially the role of women in these areas. Furthermore, it strengthened and developed my leadership, successfully impacting more people through my STEM Ambassador project,” added one of the program participants.
The 106 students participated, from August 2025 until May of this year, in various in-person and virtual educational activities, including: a workshop where they received leadership skills training and conducted scientific experiments; the online talk series with Latina women in STEM called “Juntas Podemos” (Together We Can); the Talk: Amgen Scientific Connection!, where students interacted with female scientific leaders from the biomanufacturing company; computer science workshops, and others offered by Ecoexploratorio. Additionally, the students received mentoring sessions with hundreds of women in STEM and volunteer mentors, both in-person and virtually, notably including a group of 24 Seeds of Success alumnae and participants from the L'Oreal For Girls in Science program.
During the ceremony, recognition was also given to the distinguished mentor 2026, which went to Enerys Olaguibel, a chemist by profession who has been a mentor and ally of the program since its inception in 2015, standing out for her commitment and service to young women.
For his part, Dr. Abniel Machín, director of CienciaPR's Science Education Unit, highlighted: “Behind every Semillas de Triunfo participant there is a mentor who decided to pave the way for the next generation, by sharing technical knowledge; offering real role models, guidance, and the confidence many young women need to dare to imagine themselves pursuing a STEM career.”
The Seeds of Success program has also reached thousands of students through its school visit component and its online talks. The program's reach is due in part to the support of a Coalition of Collaborators comprised of various entities, including: Amgen Foundation, Abbvie, Eaton, Johnson & Johnson, Ford, Yale University, and Popular Bank Foundation.
Girls Invited to Participate in the Semillas de Triunfo Program 2026-2027
Students interested in participating in the "Semillas de Triunfo" program must go through a two-part application process: (1) complete the application form available at sembrandosemillaspr.org on or before May 19, 2026, and watch the program orientation. A total of 120 students will be selected; however, all applicants will have the opportunity to access complementary online activities and digital resources.
For more information about the Semillas de Triunfo program, you can contact us via email at semillas.triunfo@cienciapr.org. You can also visit the website www.cienciapr.org.