Sebastian Valdez, 2024 Texas cohort
Sebastian Valdez loves space, but says he’ll never be an astronaut. It’s his fear of heights, he explains. “Space is too high.”
But that’s ok. It doesn’t stop him from exploring NASA-related science – especially when it pertains to other interests like circuits, robotics, or chemistry.
Sebastian has always had a deep curiosity about the world above and around him. Even before kindergarten, he was memorizing the presidents of the United States, identifying countries on a globe, and asking questions about how the human body works.
Sebastian’s father Agustin recalls: “Starting from when he was two or three years old, we noticed he could grab onto whatever concepts we showed him – including math. He just soaked it all in. By the time he got to school, he was already solving algebra-style problems.” It didn’t take long for Sebastian’s teachers to recognize his talents – so much that they recommended skipping kindergarten entirely.
Now a fourth grader in Harlingen, Texas, Sebastian is completing prealgebra and preparing to begin Algebra 1 this fall. While his school peers are working through elementary-level math, Sebastian is exploring formulas, graphing problems, and geometric proofs. “He’s currently taking Prealgebra B,” says Agustin, “and he’s already finished a program that covered geometry and algebra fundamentals.”
As a fourth grader taking advanced mathematics, Sebastian’s accomplishments can sometimes feel isolating. On one hand, he’s just another elementary schooler, memorizing Pokémon base stats and playing Mario Bros.-themed video games. On the other hand, he’s learning exciting things that he simply can’t discuss with his school friends.
In this light, National Math Stars’ Welcome Weekend was an eye-opening experience. He felt an immediate connection with the other NMS kids. “It was like looking in a mirror,” he recalls. “It’s a special kind of community,” his mother Christina adds. “The connections we’ve made with other parents, the support, the guidance – it’s been invaluable.”
Thanks to National Math Stars, Sebastian and his family can access a wide range of enrichment opportunities that help fuel his passion for learning. Sebastian enjoys mentoring sessions with his math coach, and he’ll soon begin creating with a new 3D printer. This summer, he’s headed to Campersand in New Mexico. “It’s opened so many doors,” says Christina.“We didn’t even know opportunities like this existed. He has so much untapped potential. National Math Stars is helping us unlock it.”
Sebastian’s academic appetite doesn’t stop with numbers. He’s fascinated by biology and chemistry – especially DNA and the periodic table. He has been teaching himself the names and functions of elements. “There are 118 elements,” he says excitedly, “and some were only just officially discovered in 2015!” His love of science may lead him to a future in bioengineering. “I want to combine robotics and medicine,” he explains.
Sebastian’s National Math Stars experience has helped him grow as a classroom leader. Recently elected treasurer of his student council, he proudly referenced his work with National Math Stars during his campaign. He’s also learning to embrace challenges of all kinds. “At National Math Stars, they say, ‘when you struggle, it’s good,’” he says. “That’s how you grow.”
Maybe he’ll be an astronaut after all.
