Translated by Andrés Martínez Forero
In ‘Bogotá, My City, My Home’, science and education take center stage. Twenty-one students from Cultura Popular School, located in the Puente Aranda district of Bogotá, visited NASA facilities—where astronauts from around the world train and where major space missions begin their journey beyond Earth.
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Accompanied by eight teachers, these students—members of the school’s astronomy club Alkimia Cosmika, one of its flagship academic programs—traveled last week to Orlando, Florida, full of excitement and anticipation. There, they explored the Kennedy Space Center, where preparations are underway for the upcoming Artemis mission.
“We’re going to the Kennedy Space Center. We’ll get to see NASA facilities from the inside—rockets, space suits… it’s going to be amazing,” said Jerónimo Vanoy, a seventh-grade student, just before boarding his international flight at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá.
“I feel really excited and grateful—for myself and for my school, which gave us this opportunity. One of my biggest dreams is to see Apollo 11, one of the rockets they have at NASA. I imagine astronauts telling us what it feels like to be in space,” added Santiago García, an eighth-grade student, moments before departure.
Here’s a post from the Bogotá Secretariat of Education (SED) highlighting the students’ visit to NASA’s facilities:
El Alcalde Mayor @CarlosFGalan tuvo la oportunidad de reunirse con los estudiantes del colegio Cultura Popular, creadores del club de astronomía ‘Alkimia Cósmica’.
— Secretaría de Educación de Bogotá (@Educacionbogota) March 13, 2026
Durante la visita compartieron los detalles de su viaje a la @NASA, de las instalaciones que visitaron, el… pic.twitter.com/PKguUZeW4f
A dream two years in the making
What began nearly two years ago—with the commitment of school leaders, teachers, families, and the support of organizations working alongside NASA and other space research initiatives—became a reality last weekend. The trip marks a major milestone for the Alkimia Cosmika academic project and one of the most anticipated moments for the students.
“It was an incredible experience. We saw rockets on display at NASA—they were amazing. We saw the Saturn V, one of the largest rockets, about 110 meters long. We also watched a SpaceX rocket launch. The best part was seeing it take off—it was midnight, and as the rocket lifted, a bright light rose into the sky. Halfway up, it looked like a red comet,” said Dara Sabogal, a seventh-grade student.
Learning beyond the classroom
The group returned to Bogotá on Tuesday, bringing back new knowledge and experiences that will strengthen their education, STEM skills, and future aspirations.
“It was an incredible learning experience—that was the main goal of this trip. While astronomy was our focus, the students gained so much more: cultural exchange, practicing a second language, and exposure to experiences far beyond their everyday environment. They even met an astronaut and spoke with her in English. That was truly special. Another unforgettable moment was entering an airfly capsule, where they experienced what it feels like to float in space,” said Marcela Díaz, the school’s English teacher.
Bogotá’s Mayor, Carlos Fernando Galán, welcomed the students at Liévano Palace and congratulated them on their journey toward achieving their dreams. During the meeting, they shared their experiences and reflected on what they learned during their visit to NASA.
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As part of their ongoing learning process, in October last year students from this school—along with peers from El Jazmín and Benjamín Herrera schools—connected with the International Space Station and spoke directly with the mission commander onboard. This exchange took place with support from NASA, ARISS Canada, and Bogotá’s Department of Education.
*This article was created using information provided by the Bogotá’s International Relations Office and curated by a journalist from Portal Bogotá. For suggestions, questions, or more information, visit Bogotá Te Escucha: https://bogota.gov.co/sdqs/
