Empowering Tomorrow’s Innovators: STEM Punks in Chile and Peru, 2025
“Me gusta mucho el proyecto me gustaría seguir aprendiendo mucho más de todo esto me encantó y me dieron más ganas de seguir aprendiendo más de este proyecto y talvez cambien mi perspectiva de que quiero ser y estudiar” – Estudiante anónimo
“I really like the project. I’d like to continue learning more about all of this. I loved it, and it made me want to keep learning more—maybe it could change my perspective on what I want to be and study.” – Anonymous student
The STEM Punks 2025 LATAM tour is officially underway. Funded through the Orica Impact Fund and supported by GroundProbe, the STEM Punks team of educators has been visiting schools across Chile and Peru, delivering hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) experiences designed to spark creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning.
The journey so far has been filled with unforgettable moments – from students’ excited ‘aha!’ breakthroughs to teachers reconnecting with the joy of innovation. Here are the highlights from the Chile and Peru legs of the tour.
Chile
In Chile, the program commenced at the Codelco Office with an energetic group of 20 students from Liceo Radomiro Tomic and Liceo America B-10. The students arrived not only with strong retention of last year’s knowledge but also a fresh hunger for learning. Throughout the day, students engaged in micro:bit activities, coding challenges, and the design of bespoke autonomous rovers. Teachers also took part in professional development workshops, which were so well-received that they requested additional sessions.
The following day saw the return of many students and teachers, now joined by participants from Liceo Jorge Alessandri Rodríguez. The enthusiasm remained high, with students encouraging one another through a robot rover minerals hunt. A standout moment was the awarding of a laptop, donated by GroundProbe, to a student who demonstrated outstanding creativity, problem-solving skills, and engagement.
On the third day, 28 Year 12 students from three participating schools came together for an immersive learning experience. They eagerly took on more complex coding challenges and collaborated on designing autonomous rovers. A highlight was a spirited quiz competition, where a laptop was awarded to the top-performing student, demonstrating a strong grasp of both theory and practical application.
The final Chilean visit was to San Pedro de Atacama, where the team worked with 27 younger students from Liceo Bicentenario Agropecuario Likan Antai. These enthusiastic Year 7 and 8 students quickly grasped key coding, problem-solving, innovation, and teamwork skills. Their peer-to-peer learning and strong sense of collaboration highlighted their eagerness and ability to embrace the challenges of STEM learning.
Peru
At I.E. Alma Mater de Congata, the school community welcomed the STEM Punks team with great enthusiasm. True to tradition, the school expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the continued support from GroundProbe and Orica. Around 30 students immersed themselves in developing skills for autonomous rovers. Fourteen teachers also participated in a dedicated professional development session, embracing the opportunity to extend their learning. A special mention goes to Freddy, a passionate advocate for the program, who continues to drive STEM learning beyond our program.
At I.E. José Domingo Zuzunaga Obando, positivity and high energy filled the day. Another 30 students demonstrated a strong focus and collaborative spirit as they tackled coding and design challenges. Sixteen teachers joined in the professional development, some reluctant for the day to end, reigniting their enthusiasm for hands-on, creative learning.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Looking Ahead
The journey is far from over. Next, the STEM Punks team will continue their LATAM tour in Colombia and Brazil, where even more students and teachers will have the opportunity to engage with future-focused STEM education.
Stay tuned for the next update as the team continues to inspire young minds across Latin America thanks to the Orica Impact Fund!
Additional Reading:
Dedicated to inspiring and educating young minds in Latin America
Teaching STEM to schools in Latin America
#OIF #OricaImpactFund #Orica #GroundProbe #STEMPunks #CommunityEngagement #STEMEducation