20 October 2026
On October 15, the Natural History Museum of Valparaíso hosted the launch of *WIRO X: An Experience Among Underwater Forests*—a science outreach project funded by the “Public Science” (*Ciencia Pública*) program of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation.
Developed by Brillo Colectivo in collaboration with researchers from the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP)—specifically its Management Areas section—the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, and the Natural History Museum of Valparaíso, *WIRO X* invites users to explore the underwater forests of brown algae, or *huiros* (*Lessonia trabeculata*), found along Chile’s central coast, using an interactive virtual reality device.
The experience integrates science, design, and community engagement to bring the public closer to these ecosystems. It highlights their importance to marine biodiversity, their role in processes related to climate change, and the challenges involved in the sustainable harvesting of these resources.
The launch marks the beginning of a traveling exhibition across Valparaíso, Casablanca (Quintay), El Quisco, and San Antonio, aimed at sharing this scientific knowledge with diverse audiences and promoting ocean literacy.
The event was attended by Ariane Lüttecke Anders, Regional Ministerial Secretary (Seremi) of Science for the Valparaíso Region; Sergio Quiroz Jara, Director of the Natural History Museum of Valparaíso; professionals from IFOP; academics and students from the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso; and members of the local community.
Gabriela Arenas, an IFOP researcher and member of the project team, highlighted the value of collaborative work and its contribution to scientific outreach: “This initiative allowed us to share knowledge from various disciplines and transform it into an experience that brings the community closer to kelp forests. Through WIRO X, we aim to contribute to ocean literacy and expand understanding of these ecosystems and their importance.”
Bryan Bularz, an IFOP researcher and author of the scientific publication that serves as the foundation for the device’s development, noted that the results of scientific research often remain in formats essential for the advancement of science, yet these formats do not always ensure that the knowledge reaches everyone who could benefit from it. “That is why we believe it is important to explore new forms of communication that spark curiosity, invite experimentation, and bring this knowledge to the general public. WIRO X allows people to discover ecosystems they would otherwise be unlikely to see firsthand.”
Marcela Alvarado, the project lead, explains that WIRO X was born from the conviction that innovation means connecting knowledge, disciplines, and people to transform how we understand the world. Through design and sustainable innovation, we integrate science, technology, and local territory to bring kelp forests closer to communities via immersive experiences. Our collaboration with IFOP strengthens the dialogue between scientific knowledge and local wisdom, exploring new languages to democratize science. After all, communication is also about sparking questions, forging connections, and collectively building an awareness of what we need to understand, value, and protect.
