Voices of the young people arriving at The Grand Jam 2026.
They come from different communities, cities, schools and universities. They are driven by a question, story or reality they want to transform.
These will be the voices of young people arriving at The Grand Jam 2026 — real people whose stories have been authorised for publication.
We do not only tell who is taking part. We tell why they are worth knowing.
Each young person arrives from somewhere different
The Grand Jam brings together people with different stories, motivations and dreams. Each represents more than a team: a community, a question and a personal way of imagining the future.
These are the stories already confirmed and authorised. The list will grow as more profiles are confirmed.
Yovanni Carmona Meléndez
Mexico
Yovanni Carmona Meléndez
Mexico
“I dream of reaching very high.”
Motivation
Getting ahead for my family and my community — this is a very close-knit region that needs more opportunities to grow.
Dream
Reaching very high with my project, benefiting my state and my region above all.
Commitment to Earth
Showing that without water in the soil, there is no life in the future.
Jonathan de Jesús Fierro Muñoz
Mexico
Jonathan de Jesús Fierro Muñoz
Mexico
“That my project goes beyond my dreams.”
Motivation
That our project reaches this level so we can help indigenous communities to work.
Dream
That my project goes beyond my dreams and gets put into motion someday.
Commitment to Earth
We don't bring innovation… we bring the solution.
Daniela Ailenee Ortega
Mexico
Daniela Ailenee Ortega
Mexico
“Learning, collaborating and showing that innovation can break any limit — even those of another planet.”
Motivation
Thinking that an idea born in a classroom or a community can go on to transform the way we feed the world. Mars Challenge isn't just a project for me; it's the chance to learn, collaborate and show that innovation can break any limit, even those of another planet.
Dream
I want to put my knowledge to the test, learn from people who share a passion for science, and show that agriculture can be key to humanity's future.
Commitment to Earth
Innovating so that every solution we imagine today becomes hope for tomorrow's planet.
Valeria Vicuña Alvarez
Mexico
Valeria Vicuña Alvarez
Mexico
“I learned that every small effort can become a big change.”
Motivation
The idea that a good initiative can start small and end up generating an enormous impact.
Dream
That our project helps build a future where every resource is valued and used responsibly.
Commitment to Earth
To leave a mark that inspires, not one that destroys.
Melissa Paulina Flores Sandoval
Mexico
Melissa Paulina Flores Sandoval
Mexico
“I learned that every small effort can become a big change.”
Motivation
Turning challenges into opportunities through innovation, creating solutions that improve people's lives, take care of our resources, and show that technology makes sense when it generates a positive impact.
Dream
Showing that an idea born in Chihuahua can reach Mars and come back to transform Earth.
Commitment to Earth
Designing the future with science, leadership and an imagination capable of turning challenges into solutions that cross borders, planets and generations.
María Leida Chávez Bustillos
Mexico
María Leida Chávez Bustillos
Mexico
“I learned that creative thinking transcends borders.”
Motivation
Creating solutions that help improve people's quality of life.
Dream
That the project delivers real solutions to today's real problems.
Commitment to Earth
Showing that a creative mind is the solution.
Ariadna Alvarez Moreno
Spain
Ariadna Alvarez Moreno
Spain
“Big challenges inspire us to create even bigger solutions.”
Motivation
Being able to help prevent problems like global warming or hunger from affecting people — like me — and the world, by improving things through science.
Dream
For my project to become something that can help people and actually happen.
Commitment to Earth
For the planet to stay habitable and a home for every species, humans included.
Ángel Caserio
Spain
Ángel Caserio
Spain
“I dream of taking my project beyond theory.”
Motivation
The possibility of transforming the neighboring planet with our proposal.
Dream
Being able to take my project beyond theory.
Commitment to Earth
Researching alternatives to polluting practices that don't cause harm to anyone.
Andrés Ramón Pinto
Spain
Andrés Ramón Pinto
Spain
“Big challenges inspire us to create even bigger solutions.”
Motivation
Taking on challenges that help me grow and deliver innovative solutions.
Dream
For the project to become one of the big solutions to today's dilemmas.
Commitment to Earth
Building a better future for everyone with this proposal.
Five dimensions for meeting them
Where they come from — Territory, community and identity.
What drives them — Personal, family or collective motivations.
What they dream of — Aspirations, vocations and possible futures.
What they stand for — Commitments connected to Earth.
What they discovered — Changes that happened during the process.
Being a protagonist does not depend on winning
Recognition may be part of a journey, but it does not determine a person’s value, what they learned or what they dared to attempt.
Protagonists are not defined by the podium. They are defined by what they dare to try.
