Early Innovation
Born in 2008 in Mexico City, Xóchitl Cruz created the
Agua Clara device at age 12, a portable tool detecting heavy metals in water using recycled materials. This invention won the
International Sustainable Innovation Fair in 2020, earning her a $10,000 grant.
Community Impact
Cruz's device has been deployed in over 300 Mexican villages, impacting 200,000 people. Her nonprofit
Youth Water Alliance trains teenagers to build and maintain testing stations. In 2022, she partnered with UNICEF to distribute 5,000 units in Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Advocacy and Education
At 16, Cruz founded the
Green Youth Academy, offering free STEM courses in Spanish and Indigenous languages. Her
edX course "Water Innovation for All" has enrolled 150,000 students globally. She co-authored the
Environmental Youth Activism Handbook, translated into 8 languages.
Global Recognition
Cruz received the
Earthshot Prize in 2023 and advised the Mexican Senate on youth climate policies. Her
UN SDG Report highlighted her work as a model for community-driven sustainability. A documentary series
"The Girl Who Fixed Water" (Netflix, 2024) chronicles her journey from inventor to global advocate.