Arecibo C3 seeks to develop science, know-how, engineering, arts and arithmetic (STEAM) expertise from an early age on the former Arecibo Observatory website in Puerto Rico.
The iconic Arecibo Observatory, as soon as celebrated for its astronomical discoveries earlier than the collapse of its large radio telescope in 2020, is being remodeled right into a new heart for science, know-how, engineering and arithmetic (STEM) education and innovation.
The NSF Arecibo Center for STEM Education, Computational Skills and Community Engagement — identified as Arecibo C3 (AC3) — marks the subsequent chapter within the website’s evolution, aiming to place Puerto Rico as a regional chief in STEM studying and analysis.
Led by the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras; the University of Maryland, Baltimore County; and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York, the venture is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation.
The initiative seeks to strengthen Puerto Rico’s STEM ecosystem by integrating education, workforce growth and group partnerships that promote inclusion and sustainability in science and know-how.
In summer season 2024, Arecibo C3 launched its pilot part, introducing applications to assemble group suggestions and co-design new academic alternatives.
Over the previous yr, lots of of scholars, academics and researchers have participated in workshops, discipline journeys and collaborative initiatives in molecular biology, genetics, computing and digital abilities growth.
These actions offered hands-on experiences with skilled lab gear and helped individuals acquire confidence and sensible data in biology, computing and know-how.
“Now, AC3 announces its January soft opening, where it will begin the offering of ticketed weekly events, including historical tours highlighting Arecibo’s legacy of scientific discovery and explorations of the region’s biodiversity,” mentioned Jason Williams, assistant director at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s DNA Learning Center and AC3 venture lead.
“Visitors will enjoy hands-on STEM experiences in biology, computing, astronomy, and more,” he mentioned.
Williams added that visitors will even preview “Signals,” a significant exhibition opening in early 2026 that can join the observatory’s historic position in international science with a new era of Puerto Rican scientists shaping the island’s STEM future.
“This center makes Puerto Rico a regional hub for STEM innovation through three key pillars: education research with global impact, workforce development for a STEM-based economy, and partnerships that address community challenges,” mentioned José Agosto-Rivera, affiliate professor on the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, and principal investigator of the venture.
“We want scientific knowledge to benefit Puerto Rico directly,” he added.
The pilot applications have included early-STEM education analysis utilizing multisensory studying, molecular biology and genomics coaching for educators, digital abilities workshops for fogeys, and human-centered computing programs for college kids and college. Each effort seeks to attach tutorial analysis with real-world functions in Puerto Rican communities.
“With the rapid growth of AI, it’s more important than ever to integrate computational thinking across all realms of education,” mentioned Patricia Ordóñez, affiliate professor and principal investigator at University of Maryland. “We’re engaging nontraditional participants to co-create community computing learning ecosystems through participatory design.”
AC3’s programming additionally emphasizes group engagement, mentioned Yasmin Santiago, the middle’s programming and operations director.
“Through these experiences, participants build self-efficacy in biology, technology, computing and more,” she mentioned.
By reworking the historic Arecibo Observatory into a middle for education and innovation, AC3 seeks to arrange Puerto Rico’s subsequent era of scientists and engineers to make use of analysis and know-how to resolve native challenges whereas contributing to the worldwide STEM group, officers mentioned.
