OUTREACH
The Outreach Team aims to bring Marine Sciences closer to society by fostering curiosity, awareness, and commitment toward the conservation and sustainable use of our ocean. Through innovative educational and communication initiatives, the Institute promotes meaningful learning experiences that contribute to scientific literacy while strengthening Chile's maritime culture.
Community Engagement
ExploSub: Science and Technology for Underwater Exploration
Educational outreach project funded by Explora CONICYT that introduced students and teachers to deep-ocean science through the design, construction, and programming of small-scale underwater vehicles.
Underwater Robotics Workshops
Hands-on workshops originating from the ExploSub project, where participants learn electronics, programming, engineering, and underwater exploration while building prototype remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs). The workshops encourage problem-solving, teamwork, and technological innovation through practical experiences.
ATACAMEX: Deep Ocean Science Exhibition
Immersive interactive exhibition funded by the Ciencia Pública Program, allowing visitors to discover deep-sea organisms, learn about ocean trenches, and experience the exploration of the Atacama Trench through virtual reality, audiovisual displays, and interactive installations.
Puppet Storytelling: Tony Tonina's Scientific Recipe
Interactive storytelling performance combining puppetry, music, audiovisual elements, and audience participation to introduce children to marine science in an engaging and entertaining way.
Supported by Chile's Ciencia Pública Program.
Science Fairs, Public Lectures and Workshops
The Outreach Team regularly participates in science festivals, public exhibitions, educational fairs, schools, and community events throughout Chile. Through lectures, interactive exhibits, audiovisual experiences, and hands-on activities, visitors are invited to discover the mysteries of the deep ocean, the technological challenges of its exploration, and the crucial role that deep-ocean and geological processes play in sustaining life on Earth. Engaging storytelling, scientific imagery, and immersive experiences help audiences understand the extraordinary discoveries made by Chilean scientists while inspiring future generations to explore and protect the ocean.
Publications
Children's Book: Ocean Tales – Tony Tonina's Scientific Recipe
Illustrated children's book available in print, digital, and audiobook formats. It features eight stories inspired by the characters from Tony Tonina's Scientific Recipe, each introducing marine science topics through engaging adventures.
Book: Journey to the Underworld
Illustrated popular science book exploring the deep ocean and the Atacama Trench, highlighting the scientific discoveries achieved during the ATACAMEX expedition.
Audiovisual
Documentaries
ATACAMEX: Exploring the Unknown
A documentary that follows the extraordinary scientific expedition led by the Millennium Institute of Oceanography (IMO) to explore the deepest reaches of the Atacama Trench. The film chronicles the deployment of an autonomous deep-sea lander to more than 8,000 meters below sea level, revealing one of Earth's least explored environments.
Atacama Hadal: A Journey to the Underworld
Documentary portraying the historic 2022 expedition during which Chilean oceanographers Osvaldo Ulloa and Rubén Escribano, together with explorer Victor Vescovo, became the first humans to descend to the deepest part of the Atacama Trench aboard the full-ocean-depth submersible Limiting Factor.
Children's and Youth Series
The Amazing Adventures of Ruka
An animated series following the adventures of Ruka and her younger sister Lyn, who, together with their faithful companion Nuna—a very special sea turtle—explore the depths of the ocean, discovering diverse marine ecosystems and the extraordinary organisms that inhabit them.
Tony Tonina's Scientific Recipe
Animated children's series featuring the adventures of chef Tony Tonina and his inseparable friends Estelita, Lala and Don Gritardo, who work together at the Underwater Flavors Restaurant, delighting marine creatures with extraordinary scientific recipes.
Lyn and Babas
An animated series that follows the adventures of Lyn, a curious young girl who spends her days exploring nature alongside Babas, a friendly snail. Together they introduce young audiences to marine science while promoting values such as diversity, tolerance, and environmental stewardship.
Little Creatures (Bichitos)
Children share their questions, ideas, and reflections about environmental issues including the ocean, pollution, biodiversity, climate change, and many other topics that shape our relationship with nature.
Experimenta
Educational series where children explore scientific questions by conducting experiments alongside leading Chilean scientists. Each episode provides a behind-the-scenes look at scientific research while inspiring curiosity and critical thinking.
Television Programs
From the Atom to the Cosmos
Television series showcasing cutting-edge research conducted by Chilean Centers of Excellence in fields such as biomedicine, engineering, innovation, astronomy, and marine sciences. IMO participated in the program from its earliest seasons and has contributed to several episodes.
Interactive
Video games
Tony Tonina
Educational video game inspired by the animated series Tony Tonina's Scientific Recipe. Players collect ingredients to prepare magical recipes while answering educational questions related to marine science.
Developed with funding from the Explora CONICYT Program.
Hadal Challenge & Audacia: Hadal Journey
Educational video game introducing school audiences and families to the deep ocean through an immersive experience. Players discover hadal organisms, learn about trench formation, deep-sea ecosystems, and the technological challenges involved in exploring Earth's deepest environments.
Developed with support from the Ciencia Pública Program and the Regional Government of Biobío.
Digital Platform
Dive In (Sumérgete)
An interactive virtual aquarium featuring different marine ecosystems found along the Chilean coast. Visitors explore immersive environments, discover marine biodiversity, learn about ecological processes, and understand the threats facing these ecosystems and how they can be protected.
