For the second consecutive year, the SAPHIR Millennium Institute participated in the 2026 Puerto de Ideas Antofagasta Science Festival, solidifying its presence at the Science Walk, considered the heart of the event and one of the country’s most important venues for science outreach.
The 2026 edition of the festival was a resounding success, drawing more than 22,000 people to over 100 free scientific activities held over four days. In this context, SAPHIR presented “The LHC: An Immersive Experience,” an innovative installation based on CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC), which allowed thousands of attendees to enjoy a sensory, educational, and interactive experience centered on particle physics.
The proposal—an immersive tunnel that recreates how the LHC works—was widely praised by the public, bringing complex concepts from cutting-edge science to the general public through an accessible, visual, and experiential narrative.
During the event, the initiative also welcomed visits from prominent officials, including Rafael Araos, Undersecretary of Chile’s Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation; the mayor of Antofagasta; and the regional minister for science in the Tarapacá Region, who were able to see firsthand the educational and outreach impact of the initiative.
The Institute would like to extend special thanks to the local guides and the student team consisting of Nicolás Faúndez (PUC), Daniella Mora (PUC), and Addles Castillo (UNAB), who were part of the SAPHIR team of guides and traveled to the region to actively participate for four days in science outreach activities, guiding visitors and enhancing their experience.
Also noteworthy is the participation of SAPHIR Executive Director Felipe Olivares León, as well as the key role played by Patricio Grunert, Head of External Relations and Director of Outreach and Communications at the Institute, who led the organization, implementation, programming, and coordination of the initiative. Grunert has maintained a sustained collaboration with Puerto de Ideas Antofagasta for the past six years, participating in various initiatives of the Science Walk.
Participation in such events is strategic for the Millennium Institute SAPHIR, as it allows for direct, experiential, and meaningful engagement with society, strengthening the bond between science and the public. This edition also takes on special significance in the context of a pivotal year for Chilean science, marked by Chile’s official admission as an Associate Member State of CERN, which reinforces the country’s role in international particle physics research.
Through initiatives such as “The LHC: An Immersive Experience, ” SAPHIR reaffirms its commitment to excellence in science outreach, helping to democratize access to knowledge and inspire new generations in STEM fields.