News
The program celebrates 12 years of promoting curiosity, robotics and transformational connections in communities in northern Chile.
The ViLTI SeMANN Program enthusiastically welcomed a new class of 220 students to join this unique, community-supported educational experience in the cities of Antofagasta and Tocopilla. The kick-off ceremony, held in both towns, also commemorated the program’s 12th anniversary cultivating scientific curiosity and forging bonds in northern Chile.
ViLTI SeMANN is an initiative of the Vice Rector of Research and Technological Development (VRIDT) of Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN), and is supported by SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition. The program has become a benchmark in early science education, integrating innovative methodologies in science, technology and educational robotics.
This year’s class of 160 students from Tocopilla and 60 from Antofagasta are breathing life into the program, which promotes cognitive development from early childhood through deeply meaningful playful and collaborative experiences. Since its inception, ViLTI SeMANN has worked in various locations in northern Chile, adapting its contents and methodologies to each local cultural and educational context. Today, with a stable presence in Antofagasta and Tocopilla, the program continues to strengthen learning and collaboration networks.
Olga Hernández Gallo, the program’s director and tchitack (meaning “heart” in the indigenous language Kunza) deeply appreciated the ceremony to welcome the families of this new class, especially those who are joining ViLTI SeMANN for the first time, and also highlighted the enthusiasm shared by the team and the significance of this new class. “These 12 successful years are reflected in girls and boys who are now young people, and who have told us how ViLTI SeMANN marked their path. Some have even requested certificates from us to apply for university scholarships. Therefore, these 12 years must become many more, because the challenges are endless,” she concluded.
BACKGROUND
In Tocopilla, the community proudly celebrated the sustained impact of the program in the area. Aníbal Abogabir, Community and Public Affairs Manager for SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition, highlighted the program’s sustained impact in the region, not only on students, but also on teachers who have strengthened their leadership skills in the classroom. “We are very happy to continue participating after 12 years since the program was founded together with Universidad Católica del Norte. ViLTI SeMANN has impacted more than 2,500 children in the region, developing much-needed soft skills through robotics and science,” he added.
Eight-year-old Isidora Fuentes is part of the Thaya group and has been participating in ViLTI SeMANN in Tocopilla for four years. Her enthusiasm is contagious: “I like coming because we learn by playing and we can build things with the robots, it’s very entertaining,” she commented. Along the way, she has learned a lot about robotics and how to create solutions with her own hands, developing skills that inspire her to keep exploring.
The 12th anniversary celebration was also an opportunity to recognize the work done by the teaching teams, families and collaborators who have made this journey possible. Looking to the future, ViLTI SeMANN reaffirms its commitment to inclusive, creative and unique education.