David Alejandro López Aragón, a Guatemalan student of Astrobiology at the Institute for Research in Earth Sciences and Astronomy at Universidad Galileo, has received the STAR ACHIEVER title at the International Star Kids Awards 2025. This international award recognizes his outstanding talents and achievements in Space Sciences and Astronomy, placing him among some of the most talented children worldwide.
“David’s exceptional talents have earned him recognition among a distinguished group from more than 23 countries,” stated the organizing body.
The award also highlights the role of mentorship. David’s mentor, engineer Edgar Castro Baten, serves as director of the Institute for Research in Earth Sciences and Astronomy. The López family commented on this guidance: “Opportunities and doors to knowledge do not open by themselves; a path accompanied by an expert is vital to nurture great minds.”
Edgar Castro Baten addressed his role as mentor: “Receiving recognition as a mentor is an honor that transcends paper. What truly matters is accompanying young talents on their journey towards knowledge. Such is the case with David López, a 10-year-old who, through discipline and passion, has completed a diploma in astronomy and become a reference at such an early age.” He added: “David López’s example confirms that science sparks vocations from an early age and that astronomy can inspire new generations. For me as a mentor, it is a privilege to have seen in him that spark of curiosity about understanding the universe and to motivate him to keep climbing higher. I am convinced this is just the beginning of a path full of notable contributions to science and hopefully for all humanity.”
The International Star Kids Awards are organized by WonderWorks, which promotes creativity, innovation, and excellence among exceptional children globally. The organizers explained their mission: “We believe every child deserves to be celebrated for their unique talents and abilities,” emphasizing their goal to inspire confidence and motivation in future generations.
For David López and his mother Pamela López, this achievement holds special meaning due to its shared nature with his mentor. David reflected: “Just like in biology, many small cells together can live longer than one large cell alone. We celebrate not only this recognition but also all those teachers who dream of a better future for Guatemala.”
This award draws attention not only to individual talent but also underscores education, mentorship, and collaboration as keys for building future generations of scientists.
With achievements like David López’s, Guatemala shows how science and astronomy can inspire an entire country.
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