Ana Maria Londoño Rivera is a Product Design Engineer. She received a Master’s Degree in Humanistic Studies, with an emphasis in Language Studies from EAFIT University in Columbia. She has been part of the Children’s University since its origin in 2005. She currently leads the Children’s University program at EAFIT University and advises on issues of Science Engagement. She has been involved in the development of science communication strategies for children, youth, schoolteachers, and university professors, as well as in projects to measure the impact of this type of topics in Medellin and in Colombia.
Falling Walls Engage Project
EAFIT Children’s University
Colombia (Medellín)
EAFIT Children’s University is an Informal Education and Science Engagement program designed to bring academia and research closer to other audiences and to encourage curiosity, create active learning experiences as well as to promote intellectual enjoyment and foster critical thinking among children.
The program proposes to deal with scientific concepts in an accessible way without sacrificing scientific rigor. Because of that, the methodology of the program is based on asking questions, discussing a problem, experimenting,and playing. In each workshop, a suggested question is posed that is related to one or several knowledge areas. Children participate in different activities that involve the use of their minds and bodies to solve the question and thereby awaken their curiosity and interest. Guest experts and workshop assistants guide participants through the activities and facilitate the dialogue and interaction with the children.