Get to Know
Adriana Ocampo
In this fact-file find out why we turned Adriana into a superhero.
Full Name: Adriana C. Ocampo Uria
Born: 1955
Occupation: Planetary Geologist
Nationality: Colombian
Adriana is a Colombian planetary geologist. She became interested in science at a young age and by 18 had a summer job at NASA. Adriana showed that an area in Mexico could be the site of a giant crater where the meteor that likely wiped out the dinosaurs hit the Earth.
Born: 1955
Occupation: Planetary Geologist
Nationality: Colombian
Adriana is a Colombian planetary geologist. She became interested in science at a young age and by 18 had a summer job at NASA. Adriana showed that an area in Mexico could be the site of a giant crater where the meteor that likely wiped out the dinosaurs hit the Earth.
Adriana features in our signature card game, Top Quarkz. The game supports development of maths, literacy and decision making skills all while learning about some of the most impressive scientific discoveries throughout history. Adriana also features in our colouring book, Newton's Rainbow.
We've explained the drawing and her playing card below so you can learn more about both her superhero and her real-life identity.
We've explained the drawing and her playing card below so you can learn more about both her superhero and her real-life identity.
Adriana has super strength and can manipulate the speed of objects.
Adriana was part of the team working on the Galileo space probe. The probe orbited Jupiter for almost eight years. The planet is depicted in the top left hand of the drawing.
Superpower
Adriana discovered the Chicxulub crater. Where an asteroid struck the planet 66 million years ago.
Adriana's family moved from Colombia to Buenos Aires in 1970 when Adriana was 14 years old.
Location
SideKick
Francisca Flores was a labor rights activist, journal editor, and an anti-poverty activist.
Only incredibly strong force fields can stop Adriana's strength.
Weakness
Each drawing we create has one or more hidden treasure(s) about our superheroes' life experiences, depictions in art, jobs or discoveries. Did you find the ones hidden in this drawing?
Discovery
We have packed a lot into our Top Quarkz playing cards - from amazing imagined superpowers to biographical information and hidden treasures.
Adriana became a superhero and crime-fighter in the 1960s. She was studying to become a geologist when a meteor shower gave her the power to control moving objects, making them move at extreme speeds. Adriana fights many villains and menaces from across the Solar System, both on her own and as a member of Team Remarkablz.
Superhero Backstory
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Planetary Geologists study the geology of planets and their moons, as well as asteroids and comets. Find out more about how Adriana found the the Chicxulub crater. If you understand Spanish you can also check out this great TedEX with Adriana.
Video Credit: NASA Goddard
Video Credit: NASA Goddard
The meteor that struck the Yucatan peninsula was massive in scale. Some say it may have killed off the dinosaurs and led to the development of present-day mammals.
Video Credit: National Geographic
Video Credit: National Geographic
- A meteoroid is a chunk of space rock. If it burns up while in our atmosphere it's called a meteor and if a piece lands, it's called a meteorite.
- Millions of meteoroids travel through the Earth's atmosphere every day.
- Meteoroids that are more than 10 metres in diameter are asteroids.
- Most meteorites are one of three types: stony, stony-iron, or iron.
- Meteorites contain the oldest known rocks in the solar system.
This fun video from Mr De Maio covers everything you need to know about these space rocks, including what they are made of, how fast they travel, and more!
Video Credit: Mr. DeMaio
Video Credit: Mr. DeMaio
Check out this great video from SciShow Kids and learn more about what happened to the dinosaurs.
Video Credit: SciShow Kids
Video Credit: SciShow Kids
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Fossils are the remains of dead plants and animals that get trapped and preserved for long periods of time.
Video credit: National History Museum, UK
Video credit: National History Museum, UK
Download this free poster and learn how fossils are made.
Adriana Ocampo — Science Superhero FAQs
Adriana Ocampo is a Colombian planetary geologist born in 1955. She is best known for discovering evidence of the Chicxulub crater — a giant impact site in Mexico believed to be the location where the asteroid that caused the dinosaurs’ extinction hit Earth. Adriana began working at NASA as a teenager and went on to lead planetary science missions studying planets, moons, and asteroids.
In The Remarkablz universe, Adriana becomes a science-powered superhero and interplanetary crime-fighter. Her origin story begins in the 1960s, when a meteor shower gives her the ability to manipulate the speed of moving objects. She joins Team Remarkablz to battle villains across the solar system — using her powers, intelligence, and planetary expertise to protect Earth and explore space.
A planetary geologist studies the structure, composition, and history of planets, moons, comets, and asteroids. They investigate craters, volcanoes, tectonics, and other features to understand how celestial bodies formed and changed. Adriana’s work has helped us learn more about Earth’s past and how impacts shape planetary systems.
Adriana appears as a playable science superhero in Top Quarkz, The Remarkablz’s signature STEM card game. Her powers include super strength and object acceleration. The game encourages children to learn about scientists through fun stats, creative powers, and hidden biographical details — blending play with educational value.
In addition to Top Quarkz, Adriana is featured in the Newton’s Rainbow colouring book — a collection of illustrated science superheroes with short bios. She also appears on her own character fact file page, where students and educators can explore her discoveries, superpowers, and the real-world science behind her story.
In addition to Top Quarkz, Adriana is featured in the Newton’s Rainbow colouring book — a collection of illustrated science superheroes with short bios. She also appears on her own character fact file page, where students and educators can explore her discoveries, superpowers, and the real-world science behind her story.
The Chicxulub crater is a massive impact site in Mexico, believed to be where a 10-kilometre-wide asteroid struck Earth 66 million years ago. The impact caused global devastation and likely led to the extinction of 75% of species — including the dinosaurs. Adriana Ocampo helped identify the crater using satellite imagery and field research.
Teachers can use Adriana’s profile to spark cross-curricular STEM learning — from planetary science and space geology to talking about the different careers in STEM.
It’s especially valuable for students aged 7–14 (Key Stage 2/3) and works well as part of science week activities, classroom discussions, or creative writing prompts.
The page includes:
It’s especially valuable for students aged 7–14 (Key Stage 2/3) and works well as part of science week activities, classroom discussions, or creative writing prompts.
The page includes:
- Videos about meteors, fossils, and dinosaur extinction (from NASA, SciShow Kids, Mr. DeMaio, and more)
- Links to related science superheroes, like Mary Anning
- Educational posters and colouring books