Marybeth Flores Vasquez is a mechatronics engineer and educator from Puebla, Mexico, with a strong commitment to advancing STEAM education, particularly in aerospace. She seamlessly blends technical expertise with her passion for teaching, developing innovative projects that make space exploration accessible and engaging for students. Through her blog, Marybeth shares insights and experiences, inspiring educators and learners within the global STEAM community.

She actively participates in international events, such as presenting at EDUCON 2025 in London, where she collaborates with peers to promote advancements in education. Her involvement in events like the FAMEX Aerospace Fair in Mexico highlights her dedication to fostering collaborative opportunities in STEAM and aerospace. Marybeth’s multifaceted contributions empower the next generation of engineers, scientists, and educators, solidifying her role as a thought leader in integrating technology and aerospace into educational frameworks.

Marybeth is passionate about bringing space closer to classrooms and invites others to join her in this mission. She warmly welcomes visitors to stay at her home in Puebla, Mexico, offering a place for families to save on accommodations while exploring the region. Her enthusiasm for collaboration extends to global events, where she connects with others to share knowledge and inspire innovation in STEAM education.

In 2025, a group of 118 individuals, brought together by their applications for a zero-gravity parabolic flight competition hosted by the nonprofit Space for Humanity, embarked on an unexpected journey. The catalyst was a simple online conversation between two participants, one of whom, Kilo, suggested they form a community to connect and collaborate. Excited by the idea, the two reached out to the other applicants, inviting them to an Instagram group chat. Soon, 101 people—each with unique expertise—joined the conversation, eager to build something meaningful together.

The group chat buzzed with enthusiasm as members shared their backgrounds and aspirations. They discussed ways to improve humanity, plan meetups, and work on projects that reflected their collective passions. The group was a diverse mix: engineers tackling technical challenges, doctors and neuroscientists advancing health and cognition, scientists and physicists exploring new frontiers, and aviators with a deep knowledge of flight. Lawyers offered legal expertise, architects and a UX architect shaped innovative designs, and a space chiropractor brought specialized wellness insights. Software engineers contributed technical prowess, while designers, artists, content creators, and teachers infused creativity and education into the mix.

Inspired to create a shared platform, the group held a poll to name their initiative, and Starbound was chosen as the winner. One member took the lead, helping everyone set up bios and profiles and launching a blog on the aCo App, a digital platform designed to support their ambitions. The app provided tools to collaborate, manage ideas, organize events, and track projects and tasks. With profiles established and a growing list of ideas populating the app, Starbound became a dynamic hub where this community of innovators could share their visions, work together, and inspire one another to make a positive impact on the world.