The Team CBA NASA School returned joyful, victorious, and safe

2 May, 2025

The 23 students who formed the Team CBA NASA School continue to receive accolades after securing third place in the international NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge, held in Huntsville, United States. The 33-member delegation traveled with life insurance policies provided by the Nacional Vida Segura Foundation, an organization they thanked during an emotional ceremony at the Centro Boliviano Americano (CBA).

All of the team members are high school students who competed against more than 70 delegations from around the world. They participated with a vehicle they designed and built themselves over the course of 10 months. The prototype successfully passed rigorous technical evaluations and stood out for its ability to overcome obstacles on a course simulating the terrain of a distant planet.

“It was an unforgettable moment, filled with tears of joy,” said Eliana Lobo, the rover’s driver. Her teammate and team leader added: “Representing the CBA, Bolivia, and South America was a unique experience. The pressure was intense, but our rigorous preparation allowed us to perform at our best and reach the podium.”

Cecilia Durán Soliz, Executive Director of the CBA and mentor to the team, expressed her joy: “We are deeply proud to support such extraordinarily talented youth. This third-place win is much more than a trophy—it’s a symbol of what we can achieve when we invest in education, science, and the future of our country.”

Meanwhile, Adán Ardaya, the program coordinator, acknowledged the support from the Nacional Vida Segura Foundation for providing the insurance policies. “We know that having insurance is mandatory when traveling abroad, so the assistance they gave us helped alleviate a significant financial burden for everyone.”