Partners Regional Conference Sparks STEM Collaboration Across Six Countries
Three strangers met at What Works 2025 in Lima and decided to hold a regional conference in Costa Rica.
Eight months later, Universidad Nacional’s Sarapiqui campus hosted Partners of the Americas’ first regional AI and STEM conference Oct. 13-14, drawing over 50 participants from six countries. Dr. Juan Arratia (Puerto Rico chapter president), Professor Adrian Carmona (UN Sarapiqui), and Ana María González Quirós (former Costa Rica chapter president) turned their Lima conversation into reality.
The hybrid conference connected Costa Rica, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Puerto Rico. Students showcased 25 AI-powered medical apps and developed mobile applications for environmental awareness and financial literacy.
Key Highlights:
- MIT App Inventor workshops
- Climate exchange programs
- Indigenous scholarship initiatives
- Saturday Research Academy in STEM launching at Liceo Rural las Colonias
- Additional organizers included Dr. Kevin Morales (MedETechNi CEO) and Professor Jairo Viales (UN Sarapiqui).