From technical school to power plant
As part of the "Clean and Renewable Energy" section of the "After School" program, 100 students visited the Pesquería Power Plant for the first time.
On Friday, January 31, 100 seniors from the Roberto Rocca After School Program at the Roberto Rocca Technical School in Pesquería, Nuevo León, were invited to tour the Pesquería Power Plant (CEP in Spanish), where they enjoyed a lively day full of activities . Their enthusiasm and curiosity shone through the many questions they asked and all the comments they shared.
The day kicked off with a series of technical talks led by specialists from each area, such as José Antonio Torres, (HSE Manager), Luis Melgarejo, (Chemical Engineering Manager) and Arturo Gonzalez (Energy Efficiency Engineering Manager). They introduced the students to key topics such as industrial safety, the workings of the Water Treatment Plant (WTP), and how electricity is generated in a combined-cycle power generation process.
During the pre-activities talk and tour of the plant, the focus was on environmental issues and sustainable energy.-
The information sessions were held in the auditorium of the Roberto Rocca Technical School, after which students boarded three buses for a guided tour of the plant. Karim Avalos, Labor Relations Manager, explained that the day’s activities were carefully planned to show participants of the After School program how energy resources are used in a real-world setting. The goal was to connect their experience to their ongoing work on the "Sustainable Communities" theme, particularly the section focused on "Clean and Renewable Energy", giving students first-hand insights to support the projects they’re developing for their communities.
The visit also offered students a chance to reflect on the environmental impact of power plants and the steps needed to reduce these effects. "This type of collaboration is a great way to connect with young people in nearby communities," explained Avalos.
Mauricio Castro, who heads up the After School Program in Pesquería, emphasized that “one of the main goals is to spark foster students' interest in technical and technological fields while helping them develop key STEM skills—science, technology, engineering, and math. Our aim is to equip them with the tools they need for a smooth transition into the workforce and to support their academic growth,” he said.
The After School Program, which marked its 10th anniversary in January, continues to be a voluntary and highly popular initiative. "For the first year, we have 600 applications for just 120 spots," shared Castro. "We actually have a slightly higher percentage of girls than boys, 52% to 48%. We don’t factor gender into the selection process; it’s simply a reflection of growing interest among girls in science and engineering, both at the Technical School level, and in high school in general.”
One hundred After School students toured the Pesquería Power Plant.-
During the visit to the CEP, Marilyn Lozada (HSE Supervisor), Jaime Garate, (Commercial Analyst), and Jorge Mendoza (Maintenance Engineering Engineer), served as ambassadors for the facility, guiding students through the tour.
“They really enjoyed the experience,” enthused Lozada. Garate added with a smile, “We had them looking out of the window while we described each part of the power plant. They were super engaged, asking questions about everything, like ‘What’s that structure? ‘Why is that chimney there?’ ‘What do turbines do?’ Their curiosity was endless!”
“For them—and for us—it’s an amazing experience,” Mendoza said. "I think one of the biggest reasons students join the program is the desire to keep learning, to train for the future, and to discover just how much is out there to explore."