The collaboration between the Saphir Millennium Institute and the Fundación Puerto de Ideas Antofagasta represents a significant effort to bring science closer to the public, promoting dialogue between researchers and the general public. This alliance takes on special relevance when developed within the framework of the science outreach festival held in the city of Antofagasta between April 24 and 27, an event that brought together various scientific centers and institutions in the country. Through talks, workshops and interactive activities, the link between the scientific community and society was strengthened, highlighting the fundamental role of knowledge in the cultural and social development of northern Chile.
The Saphir Millennium Institute, focused on the study of matter at the subatomic level, provided an innovative and in-depth look at advances in fundamental physics, while the Puerto de Ideas Foundation provided an open and accessible platform for this knowledge to reach a broad and diverse public. The synergy between the two institutions allowed not only to disseminate frontier science, but also to encourage scientific vocations in young people and foster a more informed and critical citizenship. This collaboration reinforces the commitment to an open, inclusive and territorial science.
SAPHIR participated in this major science outreach event with a variety of activities designed for the general public. One of the institute’s main attractions was its permanent booth at the “Science Walk,” a space where visitors of all ages could learn more about particle physics, interact with educational materials, and speak directly with scientists from the SAPHIR team.
In addition, Dr. Francisca Garay, deputy director of the Saphir Millennium Institute and a faculty member at the Institute of Physics at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, gave a talk titled “The Higgs boson wasn’t dead, it was just out having fun”, which drew great interest for its accessible and entertaining approach to explaining one of the most significant discoveries in contemporary physics. Alongside this, an interactive workshop was presented on the outreach project “Atomic Girls”, aimed at sparking an interest in science among girls and adolescents while promoting gender equality in STEM fields. These activities reflect Saphir’s commitment to open, inclusive science with a social impact.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who made the Millennium Saphir Institute’s outstanding participation in the Puerto de Ideas Antofagasta festival possible, which took place over four days at the city’s Sitio Cero. In particular, we thank Nicolás Faúndez, a master’s student in physics at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, and Melanie Martínez, a doctoral student in physics at the same university, for their enthusiasm and dedication at the “Paseo por la Ciencia” booth and in the Atomic Girlsworkshop. We also extend our gratitude to Dr. Francisca Garay, deputy director of Saphir and faculty member at the UC Institute of Physics, for her brilliant talk that brought the world of the Higgs boson closer to the general public. We also thank Felipe Olivares León, executive director of Saphir, and Patricio Grunert, director of Outreach and Communications, for their valuable organizational work and institutional representation. Thank you to each of you for helping to strengthen the bond between science and the public at such a significant event for science outreach in the northern part of the country.
