Young people from San Pedro de Atacama will participate in international science camp at ALMA

30 November, 2018 / Read time: 3 minutes

After a process with applications received from over 550 students in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, Diego González from Toconao and Simón Contreras from San Pedro de Atacama were selected to form part of a group of 40 young people who will participate in a new version of the Bayer Kimlu Science Camp, which for the first time will be held in northern Chile from March 7 to 17.

"I was euphoric," says Simón Contreras, 10th grade student at the school Complejo Educacional de Toconao, when he recalls the moment he received the news that he had been selected. He celebrated with his teachers who had supported him in this initiative. "Today, you can find knowledge everywhere, but at this camp, I want to share science and ideas with other like-minded people, to build a castle of knowledge and be an educated person, because that is one of the things that moves the world."

This initiative, organized by Fundación Ciencia Joven and Bayer in collaboration with the ALMA observatory, aims to shape leaders in science, technology, engineering and math, and to maximize their leadership potential in a highly demanding environment where teamwork is key.

“We are pleased with the new group of young people selected. As with previous years, we can already see that we will have 40 very highly qualified young people, committed to making an impact on society through science and technology,” indicates Eduardo Guzmán, director of Fundación Ciencia Joven in Chile.

In San Pedro de Atacama, participating students will have the opportunity to conduct research on location, participate in diverse scientific activities and delve deeper into the world of astronomy, because for the first time, the camp will involve the participation of ALMA. “We are certain that scientists and young people will come together and learn from this experience in the Atacama Desert, which is home to a growing number of astronomic observatories and where students can better understand our cosmic origins,” adds Valeria Foncea, Education & Public Outreach Officer for the ALMA Observatory.

This new edition of the camp joins the ranks of those held before it in southern Chile, in places such as Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve, Tantauco Park and Karukinka Park, which have already inspired over 300 young people from different countries. “We want this new version of the camp to be a unique experience for our young participants and we hope that it inspires them to continue down the science and research pathway and make an important contribution to society in the future,” says Camila Reid, Corporate Communications Manager for Bayer Chile.

Images

2 students from Toconao and San Pedro de Atacama were selected from over 550 applications received from Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, to participate in a new version of the Bayer Kimlu Science Camp, which for the first time will be held in northern Chile…and in ALMA!. In the image, participants of Camp 2018 in the Huilo Huilo Foundation. Credit: Fundación Ciencia Joven.

The Bayer Kimlu Science Camp is organized by Fundación Ciencia Joven and Bayer in collaboration with the ALMA observatory, and aims to shape leaders in science, technology, engineering and math, and to maximize their leadership potential. In the image, participants of Camp 2018 in the Huilo Huilo Foundation. Credit: Fundación Ciencia Joven.