Science Fair 2010

"A university without research is not a university."

Father Freddy spoke these words as he opened the College's bi-annual student Science Fair last Friday night.

The event opened with a talk by the new Director of the Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación para la Agricultura in Bolivia, Dr. Juan Risi. He talked about the importance of innovation because today, creativity and new ways of thinking are the key to good development in agriculture. Dr. Risi should know: he was most recently the Director Agricultural Innovation at the Ministry of Agriculture in Peru.

Dr. Ramiro Medina, researcher at the State University's Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas, and Dr. Mario Baudoin, the Director of the Natural History Museum, were also recognized by the College for their contributions to science in Bolivia.


Photo: IICA Director Dr. Risi talks to student body, with guests seated nearby: IICA's value chain specialist Silvia Alemán, Director General Fr. Freddy del Villar, Dr. Ramiro Medina from the IIQ and Dr. Mario Baudoin, Director of Bolivia's Natural History Museum.

The next morning, four groups of students from each major presented the best research projects, in beginner and advanced categories, both descriptive and experimental projects.


Photo: Ecotourism student Geovana Loza describes how guarapo, from cane sugar, is made in rural communities.

The students presented their research in poster format, often using visual aids to showcase their discoveries.


Photo: Drs. Medina and Risa listen as education students report their research about Aymara language instruction in local schools.

The invited judges graded the projects, and students were awarded stacks of books as prizes, donated by the Natural History Muesum and IICA.

One of the best results of the competition is the experience of doing and presenting their results. The students bring these skills into their professional lives, developing a crtitcal mind and understanding how to explain themselves effectively. These small projects often turn into senior research projects, a requirement for graduation.

The day ended in a rainstorm, the first drops peppering the crowd gathered to see who won. And like that rain, the event touched everyone present, the culture of research soaked up at the College.