STARMUS VIII Celebrates Young Changemakers with Junior Medals

The STARMUS VIII festival, renowned as a premier international gathering for science, music, and exploration, has announced its honorees for two prestigious Junior Medals. These awards recognize the next generation of scientific and environmental leaders, highlighting their innovative contributions and the vital roles they play in society. Valeria Corrales from Spain has been awarded the Stephen Hawking Junior Medal, while Aneeshwar Kunchala from the UK has received the Jane Goodall Junior Earth Medal.

Honoring Valeria Corrales: A Rising Star in Science Communication

Valeria Corrales began her journey in science communication at a mere ten years old when she, alongside her mentor Patricia Heredia, co-founded the educational platform ValPat in 2018. This initiative aimed to make STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education more accessible to younger audiences. Since its inception, ValPat has evolved into a vital resource, boasting over 750 educational videos and attracting 240,000 subscribers on YouTube.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Valeria and her team offered 100 consecutive days of free online STEM classes, supporting thousands of children across Spain and Latin America to continue their education despite the challenges of lockdown. Her remarkable efforts have garnered her national and international recognition. In 2023, Forbes Spain listed her among the