Second Edition of Charlas Kreen Brings Together Puerto Aysén’s Educational Community for a Science and Environmental Outreach Event

Inspired by the TED Talk format, the presentations covered a wide range of topics, including wetlands, microplastics, energy, peatlands and biodegradable plastics. Ingrid Guzmán, from AyCiencia, delivered a talk on threatened biodiversity, focusing in particular on the native bumblebee. These presentations were complemented by two talks from the Fundación Kreen team: one on plants with medicinal potential, connected to the Plantas que Sanan: An Encounter of Botanical Knowledge program, and another on aquatic macroinvertebrates.

Charlas Kreen created a space for dialogue and knowledge exchange around the environmental issues affecting the municipality. The initiative sought not only to introduce students to different research projects and experiences, but also to encourage them to express their own concerns and share their perspectives. In this regard, Francisca Bahamondes, Fundación Kreen’s Outreach Coordinator and project lead, emphasized the importance of continuing to foster these opportunities: “Charlas Kreen seeks to strengthen the connections between science, education and territory, encouraging younger generations to share their questions and ideas and to become actively involved in understanding and caring for their surroundings.”

Bringing Educational Communities Together

This second edition brought together students and teachers from Colegio Sagrada Familia, which provided its facilities for the event. Members of the educational communities of Liceo Raúl Broussain and Colegio Santa Teresa de los Andes also took part. Representatives from the Environmental Unit of the Municipality of Puerto Aysén joined the event as well, gaining first-hand insight into the perspectives and concerns of younger generations.

Fundación Kreen greatly values the participation and commitment of the educational communities that made this edition possible. “We would especially like to thank Colegio Sagrada Familia for providing the venue and helping make this initiative happen, as well as all the schools, students, teachers and municipal representatives who joined us over these two days. It is truly encouraging to see so many people enthusiastic about these opportunities, especially young people, with their concerns, ideas and eagerness to contribute to addressing the environmental challenges facing their community,” said Bahamondes.

With this second edition, Charlas Kreen continues to strengthen a space where science outreach meets the experiences and questions of educational communities. In doing so, it fosters intergenerational dialogue in which young people play a vital role in shaping the future of their territories.