Visitors marveled at various interactive activities at the Santiago Library during a unique, two-day event that drew a massive turnout.
With an attendance exceeding 1,500 people, the third edition of "Invierno con Ciencia" (Winter With Science) was inaugurated this Thursday at the Santiago Library, bringing together 28 institutions dedicated to bringing scientific knowledge closer to the community.
"Hundreds of young people today are learning, getting curious, and marveling at the scientific knowledge generated nationally by each of the universities and projects showcasing here the questions they ask themselves—and that is the most important thing—the challenges they face, and inspiring young people with knowledge and research” stated the Deputy Director of Centers and Associative Research National Agency for Research and Development (ANID in spanish)., Nicole Ehrenfeld.
During Thursday's session, aimed at high school students, attendees were able to explore the fascinating world of the oceans through a booth hosted by the PhytoDelica Laboratory, the Millennium Institute of Oceanography (IMO), and the DEOXS Millennium Nucleus.
Through an interactive experience, the team brought students closer to the fascinating world of phytoplankton, highlighting its key role in oxygen production, the carbon cycle, and ocean health.
"These opportunities to share what we do are essential, especially for students and people who are just starting out and exploring what they want to study" commented Martín Rocco, Professional Technician at the PhytoDelica Laboratory (IMO-DEOXS).
Meanwhile, Caterina Fuentes, a student at the Laboratory, highlighted the value of these activities for the democratization of knowledge, adding thatit is a very enriching opportunity, as it helps us bring science closer to children, as well as teenagers and adults (...) so they can learn about what is done daily in science in Chile".
Finally, Valentina Rubio, a Doctoral Thesis Candidate at PhytoDelica, reflected on the purpose of outreach and the care of the marine environment, adding that "it helps raise awareness, gather information, and share it". Once the event concluded, the guide staff donated three copies of the illustrated outreach book “Cuentos del Océano” (Tales of the Ocean), so that it could become part of the cultural institution's permanent catalog.
The event brought together students and the general public thanks to an alliance between the Santiago Library, ANID, and a team made up of the VitiScience Research and Innovation Center, the Advanced Center for Transportation, Logistics and Economic Competitiveness (CATLEC), the Millennium Nucleus for Bioproducts, Genomics and Environmental Microbiology (BioGEM), the Millennium Institute for Coastal Socio-Ecology (SECOS), and the Millennium Institute for Research in Optics (MIRO).