Honored and Grateful: A Journey Through the Cosmos

Today marks an extraordinary milestone in my journey as a STEAM educator and an advocate for scientific literacy. I am deeply honoured to be recognized by the Clark County Board of Commissioners for my dedication to sharing the wonders of the universe with our community.

My journey began in the vibrant city of Madrid, Spain, where my fascination with the cosmos was sparked at a young age. Inspired by my mother's love for the stars and my sisters' enthusiastic encouragement of stargazing, I developed a deep passion for astronomy and the sciences. This passion has been the driving force behind my life's work.

When I moved to Las Vegas, I found a community that shared my curiosity and excitement for space exploration. Over the past eleven years, I have had the privilege of working with numerous organizations to promote scientific literacy, including the Scouts of America, the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, Civil Air Patrol, Native Tribal Organizations, UNLV, and many more. My contributions to citizen science projects for NASA, JPL, The Planetary Society, and others have been some of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

In 2013, I joined the Las Vegas Astronomical Society, and since 2018, I have served as the Vice President of the Society’s Education Outreach Program. This role has allowed me to conduct over 100 STEAM events annually, sharing my passion and knowledge with thousands of community members. In 2022, I was selected for NASA’s Solar System Ambassador’s Program, further fueling my commitment to space exploration and public education.

Today's recognition is a testament to the support and encouragement I have received from so many incredible individuals and organizations. I am especially grateful to Commissioner Gibson and Commission District Liaison Blanca Vazquez for their unwavering support and belief in my mission. Their enthusiasm and dedication have been instrumental in my journey.

I am humbled by this honour and remain committed to inspiring curiosity and promoting scientific literacy. The universe is vast and full of wonders, and together, we can explore it, learn from it, and be inspired by it.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. Your support means the world to me. Let's continue to look up and explore the cosmos together!

With gratitude and humility,

Francisco Silva