1. Intel ISEF Educator Academy May, 2005 Chile

2. 2 Introductions Lilian Villanueva Coordinator Explora Los Lagos Region Professor Universidad Austral Representatives Anita Valdés Coordinator Explora Bio Bio Region Professor Universidad de Concepción Margarita Garrido Coordinator Explora Magallanes Region Professor Universidad de Magallanes Explora Program Role: Representatives from Universities and Science Fairs coordination.

3. 3 Educational Environment –The Chilean School System 10.621 schools Pre-School: Up to 5 years old Basic Education - Grade 1 to 8 Mid-Level Education – Grade 9 to 12 – Humanistic – Scientific Track – Technical – Professional Track 12 years mandatory education (since 2004) 3.337.976 students 135.000 teachers

4. 4 Educational Environment Chilean Educational System is decentralized. Schools are managed by private and public organizations. 59% is financed by the government 29% is shared by the government and privates 10% is only private. Two national test exists: –SIMCE (apply two times during the process) – PSU ( university entrance requirement)

5. 5 Educational Environment Math and Science are included during the entire education process. In the Elementary level, science is focused on nature comprehension In high school focused on scientific development (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

6. 6 Science Fairs What is the status of Science Fairs in your area? –New Fairs: Developing a formal national organization of fairs and connecting them to an international network. Explora program,supported by the national government, has as its mission the promotion of these activities Many teachers with good level of interest Need to expand the number of students participating Developing specifics science initiatives throughout the educational system connected with fairs.

7. 7 Science Fairs Our two biggest obstacles are: Lack of a Ministry of Education guideline for mandatory Fairs at local level. Quality of projects is improving but not enough

8. 8 Intel ISEF Educator Academy What will your Action Plan focus on? –Expand the participation of students into local level Fairs. –Increase the number of local Fairs participating across the country affiliated to the national network. –Growth international exchanges with other Latin American Fairs. –Delivering seminars for teacher to help them manage and organize Fairs.