CECyT 12 Leads Initiatives for a Sustainable Future

Nestor Pinacho

In the presence of students and representatives from various private educational institutions, the Centro de Estudios Científicos y Tecnológicos (CECyT) 12 "José María Morelos" presented its experience in environmental care and the development of projects that take into account their impact on nature at the Senate of the Republic.

In an interview, Marta Cecilia Ortega Méndez, head of the Research and Technological Development Department at CECyT 12, shared her participation in the Educational Symposium on Sustainability in Educational Institutions, coordinated by Kescul and Jojma Education, organizations committed to the education and integral development of young people, which took place on February 23 at the legislative headquarters.

She mentioned that during the event, she addressed the importance of environmental awareness and the promotion of sustainability, as well as aspects of ISO 14001:2015 certification in Environmental Management Systems, an accreditation held by this polytechnic institution for adopting strategies to reduce ecological footprint. "It provides organizations with a framework for environmental protection, as well as for responding to changing climatic conditions, prioritizing balance with socio-economic needs."

As the representative of the Environmental Committee of CECyT 12, she pointed out the requirements for achieving such certification. "We practically assess the lifespan of everything that enters the school, whether it's consumables, fuel, paper, etcetera.

We must know how we're going to protect both the community and the infrastructure; in each aspect, we have to determine where it impacts us, that is, in flora, fauna, air, and water, and then ultimately we must create an action plan."

She noted that a fundamental aspect of the actions taken is the attention given to projects developed by students, some of which were also presented in the Senate.

She mentioned that former students of CECyT 12 presented a project for a bag made from starchy flour that degrades when buried within a maximum period of two months. After presenting it in the legislative chamber, she said, they have received attention from companies for the commercialization of the product.

As a result of this Symposium, she elaborated, several alliances were also formed between private and public institutions. "We were the only representatives from the Politécnico, with participation from current students and alumni who presented prototypes that won at the time and are still ongoing with the project. It's very satisfying because they see that the work initiated, if continued, especially considering where it will positively impact us, can be followed through."

Dr. Ortega Méndez emphasized that the Symposium is a great lesson in the synergy that should exist between different entities, such as schools, educational development organizations, and private initiatives, united for the growth of academics and students.

"These types of events help students have a broader vision of everything in their environment. Hopefully, more schools would join these initiatives because they all have something important to contribute," she concluded.

Gaceta Politécnica #1783. (March 30th, 2024). IPN Imagen Institucional: Read the full magazine in Spanish here.