With only 13 years, Ana Lucía Pérez Ladder He has not yet arrived at the University, but has already stepped on the same scenario as figures such as Stephen Hawking, Matt Damon and Buzz Aldrin: the Massachusetts Technological Institute (MIT). The young Puerto Rican was invited to the MIT AI & Education Summit 2025, held from July 16 to 18, where she offered a talk about her initiatives that intertwine art and environmental conservation in Puerto Rico.
“I always imagined that my passion for science and technology would take me to MIT, but I didn’t think it would happen as soon,” confessed the student, educated in her home under the “HomeSchooling.”
His presence at the summit was no accident. Ana Lucía is the founder of From a Pokito by Puerto Ricoan organization dedicated to educating the importance of caring for the environment on the island. His work caught the attention of the team of Mit raiseorganizers of the event, who selected it as the youngest speaker among international participants.
At the summit, issues such as the role of the artificial intelligence (AI) in education, world literacy and environment They were discussed through three days. The guests had the opportunity to highlight the manifestations of AI in different sectors such as technology, science and politics.
For ladder, getting to MIT was another opportunity to open a space where science, art and technology combine to find environmental solutions. During his speech, Brainyhacks PR presented an educational workshop that challenges young people to develop mobile applications using MIT Applications inventor tools.
A “Hackathon,” Escalera explained, is a collaborative event where programmers gather to create new solutions by applying technology to existing problems. In your organization, these events have an ecological approach. In 2024, two editions of Brainyhacks PR were held in Salinas and San Juan.
In Salinas, for example, young people between 12 and 16 designed an application that helps farmers to decide when to sow, based on weather data. With four editions already made on the island, staircase is clear about its goal: to continue opening learning spaces for more young people in Puerto Rico.
“The future will be in our hands,” he said.
That vision reaffirmed shortly after, when she was invited to participate in the “Youth In AI” panel during the same summit. There, young people from different countries shared their opinions on the use of AI in schools.
For ladder, AI is a tool with great potential to generate solutions that benefit the environment. One of the problems that most worries is the inappropriate handling of garbage, especially the need to reduce waste from its origin.
As part of the mission of A Pokito by Puerto Rico, Escalera has integrated his love for art to promote actions such as the recycling and the beaches cleaning. His artistic work fuses biology elements with inspiring messages to protect the Puerto Rican coasts.
Looking to the future, the young woman dreams of combining architecture and technology to create sustainable solutions. In addition to Brainyhacks, among their plans for this year is to write and illustrate a collection of books to inspire and educate other children about environmental care.
Its commitment has also transcended to the legislative field. Written an amendment to the Law 51 of 2022on the sale and use of single -use plastics, which was approved in the House of Representatives and passed to the Senate for review. The proposal sought to allow customers to carry their own utensils and reusable containers to restaurants and shops.
Despite its achievements in several sectors between and outside the island, Ana Lucía maintains its clear focus: protect Puerto Rico.
“Raising our flag in front of the best university in the world and then offering my testimony was a symbol of hope, and a sign that the effort always has its reward”he said.
Their projects currently seek to inspire young people to create in ambassadors for their peoples. As an organization, it will be offering educational talks in the 78 municipalities, carrying out workshops that combine science and art, recycling, cleaning rivers and beaches, and other activities that promote environmental care and careers Steam (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics).
To learn more about your projects or collaborate with your initiative, you can follow it on Instagram as @deapokitopuertoricoor visit your website, deapokitoporpuertorico.com.