Children and Youth from Indigenous Communities of Atacama la Grande Share Educational Day at ALMA

The initiative included tours of key observatory facilities along with talks on astronomy and the Andean worldview, reaffirming ALMA’s commitment to community development and outreach with its neighboring localities.

As part of ALMA’s commitment to its local environment and its relationship with neighbors, the observatory facilities hosted a special visit between July 14 and 15. Children and young people from the Atacameño Indigenous Communities of Checar, Larache, and La Puna participated in an educational program specially designed for them during their winter break.

During the event, delegates and students took a guided tour of the OSF led by Danilo Vidal, Visits Coordinator for the Education and Public Outreach team, giving them a firsthand look at the observatory’s daily operations.

“For us, it is always a privilege to open ALMA’s doors and share this place with our neighbors. Seeing the children’s curiosity as they tour the facilities and helping them discover how the observatory operates reminds us of the positive impact ALMA has on its own territory,” Vidal highlighted.

Catalina Margulis, Corporate Secretary at ALMA, explained that “opening the observatory’s doors is an extremely valuable opportunity for the new generations of our neighboring communities to learn about ALMA’s work. Seeing the interest and enthusiasm this visit spark in the children and youth of Atacama la Grande reinforces the importance of the field work we carry out every day.”

Following the facility tour, students attended a talk delivered by Sergio Martín, Head of Science Operations. The session addressed three key pillars: ALMA’s privileged location on the Chajnantor Plateau, the connection between Andean cosmology and the observatory’s science, and the latest discoveries concerning the supermassive black hole at the Galactic Center and protoplanetary systems.

“Events like this are fundamental to showing students the groundbreaking science being conducted right in their municipality. Witnessing the children’s curiosity as they connect their ancestors’ cosmological vision with modern astronomy reminds us of how important it is to bring ALMA’s work closer to future generations,” explained Sergio Martín.

The day concluded with an interactive activity session where students engaged in educational games, cementing a meaningful connection aimed at inspiring new generations in the Antofagasta Region and reaffirming ALMA’s commitment to its host communities.