On Sunday, October 5th, the closing event of the 2025 Science Week took place at the Plaza de Armas of La Serena, featuring a massive Science Fair that combined experimental activities, cultural exhibitions, and musical performances. The event highlighted the role of basic and applied sciences in society, showcasing the work of research institutions, universities, and public services from the Coquimbo Region.
Participating with booths at the fair were the Agricultural Research Institute (INIA Incahuasi), Par Explora Coquimbo, CEAZA, IFOP, the Regional Health Secretariat (SEREMI de Salud), the Regional Environmental Secretariat (SEREMI de Medio Ambiente), local universities, and other scientific institutions.
The event was attended by regional authorities, including Presidential Delegate Galo Luna, who emphasized the importance of the gathering and the community’s enthusiasm. “The Coquimbo Region produces a great deal of science and is also a subject of scientific observation. Science invites us to think and to give a sense of urgency to the implementation of technology for decision-making,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Regional Secretary of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, Marcela Fernández, stressed the importance of bringing science closer to citizens. She explained that “this year’s theme was ‘Awareness Against Disinformation’, which responds to an urgent need: to develop skills that allow us to generate knowledge, not beliefs.”
Representing the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) were researchers Yeriko Alanis, from the Department of Repopulation and Cultivation, and Álvaro Wilson, from the Management Areas Section, Department of Oceanography and Environment. Their booth showcased technological equipment such as a drone and an underwater ROV, along with biological samples of marine species belonging to the genera Argonauta and Doryteuthis (epipelagic zone), and Cephalurus and Granadero aconcagua (demersal zone). They also exhibited posters and educational materials about benthic resources from the research IFOP conducts within the framework of the Management and Exploitation Areas for Benthic Resources (AMERB).
According to researcher Álvaro Wilson, the event was particularly intense:
“Our booth was one of the most visited at the science fair, largely due to the interest sparked by the technological equipment and biological samples, along with the scientific information associated with them,” he said.
In this way, IFOP reaffirms its commitment to disseminating the research that the Institute carries out for the state in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, while also helping to bring scientific knowledge closer to the community.
Joaquín Morales Cortés, from the Ministry of Science in the region, said:
“The Science Festival marks the closing of the 2025 Science Week celebration in the Coquimbo Region, bringing together at the Plaza de Armas of La Serena various activities and amenities so that visitors can stay, enjoy, and interact with their families. A main stage was set up where the central program included talks and performances by nationally recognized musical artists such as Pascuala Ilabaca and Los Biodivertidos.
Near the main stage, 23 stands from institutions in the fields of science, technology, and innovation were installed, where IFOP had a prominent presence and great public turnout, presenting in an attractive and interactive way its diving equipment, instruments, and samples of marine biodiversity, used in the development and application of high-quality science for monitoring management areas and small-scale aquaculture. For this reason, we reiterate our gratitude for their contribution to the success of this event, which was attended by around 4,000 people.”
