“What I liked most about the Regional Congress is to know the projects of other schools and their researchers”

After two years in virtuality, the Regional Congress organized by the Explora North Metropolitan Region Project of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and innovation, returned to its face-to-face format in the Faculty of Sciences, Chemistries and Pharmaceuticals of the University of Chile. From 20 to 21 October, the school research projects presented the results of their work focused on Natural and/or Exact Sciences, social sciences, Arts and Humanities.

During the first day, the students enjoyed an inaugural talk by Irene Cuadrado from the Complutense University of Madrid, also participated in a workshop led by Ideo Maker, visited the laboratories of the Faculty of Sciences, Chemical and Pharmaceutical of the University of Chile and the Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDIS), but without a doubt the activity they enjoyed the most was to know other research projects and talk with other students of the RM Norte, commented Richard Argüelles of 8th grade of the San Adrián de Quilicura School “I found the activity very interesting and fun, as well as stressful (between laughs), It's the first time I've participated in an activity like this, I liked to know how the different laboratories work and to talk with other students who also do research projects in their schools”.

The Regional Congress aims to socialize the results of school research and innovation projects of students through an exhibition, with clear and precise language, Enabling children, Girls and adolescents develop communication and argumentation skills in a stimulating space where they interact with different students.

“This is the final stage of a school research and innovation process, that shows us once again the constant and systematic work done by the Explora RM Norte team. During my visit to the Regional Congress, I noticed that all participants are highly motivated and appropriate to their research., The great support of teachers and scientific advisors is noticeable. On the other, We are very happy to resume the face-to-face format and meet again with so many motivated students” said Edith Abarzúa of the Explora Project.

The research projects were evaluated by more than 40 specialists from various areas of knowledge and academic institutions., who previously read the written reports and the day of the Congress, evaluated their presentations. “It is an honor to continue to be part of the evaluators of the North RM Congress, The truth is that I love that children learn science from a young age and break the gap of previous generations., where science was seen as unattainable, commented the teacher Karla Lozano, researcher at the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Chile, who also added, What she liked most about being an evaluator for the fourth consecutive year, is to see that every year the projects are better.

On the other hand, the teacher Jessica Miños of the Emprender Larapinta School of the commune of Lampa, He said that it is also the first time he participates in activities like this. “The experience has been great, starting with the opportunity to resume the face-to-face, It was gratifying to be part of this space where my students can disseminate the results of their research and meet students and work from other schools., which will allow them to prepare for upcoming academic experiences”.

Ignacia Maquieira, students from The Kent School also said "the whole initiative was very interesting for me., It was a nice opportunity to be able to talk with scientists and get to know the instruments they work with", On the other hand, his colleague Maite Jorquera thanked the closeness with which the researchers of the laboratories explained their lines of research.

Winners of the XVI Regional Congress

At the end of the activity, the best research was recognized. Then, the four projects that will represent the Northern Metropolitan Region in the National Congress, organized by the Explora Program:

Best Basic Education innovation project: "Recovery of spaces for the planting and cultivation of medicinal plants and other herbs" of the Piloto Pardo Basic School of the commune of Santiago.

Best Basic Education research project: "Evaluation of the effect of lead on onion growth, for the inference of sustainable agricultural development of The Kent School of the commune Providencia.

Best innovation project Secondary Education: "Star Point" José Miguel Carrera National Institute of the commune of Santiago

Best research project Secondary Education: "Categorization of sites for the conservation of Eulidia yarrelli (Hummingbird of Arica) in the valleys of Arica and Pararinocota, Chile" of the CICE School Scientific Research Center of the commune of Santiago.

Other projects were also recognized:

Best written report: "Categorization of sites for the conservation of Eulidia yarrelli (Hummingbird of Arica) in the valleys of Arica and Pararinocota, Chile" of the CICE School Scientific Research Center of the commune of Santiago".

Best Oral Presentation: “The Yupana, a didactic material that facilitates the learning of the addition in boys and girls of the first basic cycle of the Liceo Presidente José Manuel Balmaceda” of the Liceo Polivalente José Manuel Balmaceda of the commune of Independencia.

Best project chosen by peer vote: “Star Pointer” of the José Miguel Carrera National Institute of the commune of Santiago.

Award for the project with the most likes: with 654 likes “Evaluation of bacterial resistance to antibiotics present in the Mapocho River during the winter season” of the Ozanam School of the commune of Santiago.

Award for the project with the most comments: with 131 reviews “Irrigation system by underground capillaries: The solution to water loss” of the Emprender Larapinta School of the commune of Lampa.

On behalf of the Explora RM Norte team, we congratulate all the students who participated in the XVI Regional Congress.

View the summary book of research projects here