STARMUS VIII Celebrates Young Changemakers with Junior Medals

STARMUS VIII Celebrates Young Changemakers

STARMUS VIII, the world's largest international festival dedicated to science, music, and exploration, has announced the recipients of two prestigious Junior Medals. These awards are presented to two exceptional young leaders, Valeria Corrales from Spain and Aneeshwar Kunchala from the UK, in recognition of their invaluable contributions to science education and environmental advocacy, respectively.

Valeria Corrales: The Junior Stephen Hawking Award

At just 18 years old, Valeria Corrales is already making waves in the realm of science communication. She co-founded the educational platform ValPat at the tender age of ten, aiming to make science, programming, and technology accessible to younger audiences. Her platform has since grown to include over 750 educational videos, amassing more than 240,000 subscribers on YouTube.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Valeria and her mentor Patricia Heredia offered 100 consecutive days of free online classes in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), benefiting thousands of children across Spain and Latin America. Valeria's remarkable contributions earned her recognition as one of the 23 Changemakers by Forbes Spain in 2023, and she has been a finalist for numerous prestigious awards. Currently, she is pursuing a degree in Computational Media at Georgia Tech, focusing on the transformative potential of science and technology in education, embodying the spirit of curiosity that Stephen Hawking championed.

Aneeshwar Kunchala: The Junior Jane Goodall Earth Award

At only 11 years old, Aneeshwar Kunchala has emerged as an international figure in wildlife conservation and environmental education. His journey began at four years old when he learned about a whale that died due to plastic pollution. This experience ignited his passion for animal protection and advocacy for nature conservation.

Aneeshwar has captivated audiences globally through documentaries, educational shows, and public speaking engagements. He has collaborated with major networks like BBC and Sky Kids and has shared his message at international events, earning various accolades including three Guinness World Records and the Diana Award. His work as a young ambassador for the National Trust and as the first youth columnist for National Geographic Kids UK further demonstrates his commitment to environmental education. His message is simple yet powerful: “Save the animals and preserve the beauty of the world.”

A Shared Vision for the Future

Though their paths diverge in focus—one in science education and the other in environmental advocacy—both Valeria and Aneeshwar embody the principle that knowledge must drive action. They serve as inspiration for their peers, demonstrating that age should never limit one's influence or ability to effect change.

The Junior Medals awarded at STARMUS VIII are rooted in the legacies of two great minds: Stephen Hawking and Jane Goodall. Hawking's commitment to understanding the universe and Goodall's dedication to the natural world highlight the responsibility we share to cultivate the next generation of thinkers and protectors of our planet.

As STARMUS VIII prepares for its eighth edition, themed 'The Quest for Truth', scheduled for October 17-22, 2026, in Tenerife and La Palma in the Canary Islands, it will gather some of the brightest minds in science, space exploration, technology, music, and the arts. The festival aims to explore the importance of knowledge and scientific reasoning, fostering curiosity and courage among the youth.

For more information about STARMUS VIII and to purchase tickets, please visit www.starmus.com.