In early August, high school students visited part of the Millennium Institute of Oceanography's facilities, guided by researcher Vera Oerder, as part of the "Scientists for a Day" program by the Chilean Academy of Sciences.
Four students from Liceo Pablo Neruda in Temuco isited the Department of Oceanography at the University of Concepción, guided by the researcher at the Millennium Institute of Oceanography (IMO in spanish) and the Millennium Nucleus DEOXS, Dra. Vera Oerder.
This activity is part of the "Scientists for a Day" initiative under the Chilean Academy of Sciences' Frontier Science program, which aims to bring science closer to younger generations and show how knowledge is built from inside the laboratories.
During the visit, the participants took part in a varied program of activities, including talks, visits to deep-ocean observation instruments, a virtual immersion into the Atacama Trench, a conversation with the first woman to descend into its depths, microscopic observation of microorganisms, and visualizations of future climate change projections.
Dr. Oerder praised the initiative, highlighting that the students "showed great interest in the research we do, in science in general, and in the personal and professional trajectories of the researchers".
"These types of events are very significant because working with small groups allows for a much closer exchange. Furthermore, since these are students already interested in science, these experiences can strengthen their motivation and bring them closer to the world of research”, she added.
The researcher also emphasized the regional value of the event, noting that "it allows us to reach schools located further from our university that have fewer opportunities to participate in our outreach activities".