By  Andrea Remes Co-Founder of Erandi Aprende 

Building Erandi Aprende has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life, both personally and professionally. Growing up in a family where my grandfather was a pilot, my brother is an aerospace engineer, and my parents are social scientists focused on quantitative aspects, I was always surrounded by the boundless possibilities of STEM fields. However, I couldn’t ignore the glaring underrepresentation of Hispanic women in these areas and how girls often suffer from impostor syndrome early in their lives. In fact, I experienced this myself, which led me to initially avoid pursuing a science or technology-oriented career. This disparity fueled my passion for change, and Erandi Aprende became my way of addressing it.

Erandi Aprende started as an idea to participate in a UNICEF contest called the Youth Challenge 2.0. Our objective was to empower Hispanic girls aged 8–12 to discover their potential in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) through culturally relevant, project-based learning. As we delved deeper, the project evolved into a bilingual, AI-powered app designed not only for students but also for teachers, families, and communities, fostering a holistic ecosystem of curiosity-driven learning.

One of the most impactful moments in this journey was witnessing Erandi Aprende’s success in our pilot program at Magic World School in Arauca, Colombia. The program demonstrated how the app encouraged students to think critically and creatively while empowering teachers to personalize their instruction. To date, we’ve reached over 25,000 young minds across Latin America and the U.S., with 1,200 beta testers actively engaging with the app. Our users have submitted over 600 projects and asked more than 20,000 questions, proving that our mission to spark curiosity and bridge educational gaps is resonating.

My personal growth has mirrored the app’s development. Through challenges like building a remote team across Mexico and the U.S., I’ve learned to embrace systems thinking and collaboration. Partnering with international organizations such as Generation Unlimited from UNICEF and attending programs like One Young World (in Montreal), Halcyon (in Washington D.C.), and Puentes de Talento (in Madrid) have further broadened my perspective. These experiences have connected me to mentors and peers who share a passion for driving systemic change, motivating me to refine our approach and scale our impact.

What keeps me inspired are the stories of the girls and teachers we serve. I remember one teacher from the Arauca pilot who shared how Erandi’s AI tools reduced her project assessment workload, allowing her to spend more time nurturing her students’ creativity. Moments like these remind me why we do what we do—because every child deserves an education that empowers them to dream beyond societal limitations.

Looking forward, my goal is to expand Erandi Aprende to reach 1 million users in the next five years. This includes validating our app in schools in Washington, D.C., and fostering partnerships with stakeholders like the government of Panama (which is ongoing). These milestones will enable us to scale sustainably while continuing to center the voices of the communities we serve.

Erandi Aprende isn’t just an app; it’s a movement. It’s about dismantling stereotypes, fostering inclusivity, and equipping the next generation with the skills they need to lead in an AI-driven world. Every step of this journey, from small successes to significant challenges, reinforces my commitment to creating lasting change. It’s this passion and purpose that drives me, and I’m excited for the future of Erandi Aprende and the transformative impact it promises.