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Lab4Sea: Sailing Towards a Sustainable Future

Lab4U and Camanchaca are revolutionizing science education for four schools in the south of Chile by offering exciting experiments that allow students to dive in and learn about various aspects of the fishing industry.

Education is an ever-evolving field, and in a world that’s rapidly shifting towards a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-driven economy. According to the United Nations’ projections, 75% of jobs will be STEM-related by 2050. Therefore, it’s crucial to equip the next generation with the skills that will be required by the 4.0 industry.

In this context, Lab4U and Camanchaca have come together to provide an innovative and transformative educational experience with the Lab4Sea program. It will support the California and Gabriela Mistral schools in Tomé, as well as the Víctor Domingo Silva school and the Liceo Yobilo in Coronel. The program includes teacher training in subjects like Science Assessment, Inquiry Methodology, Scientific Research Skills, and Female Empowerment in the Field of Sciences.

To complement the educator support, Lab4U has developed a series of four “Branded Experiments,” in collaboration with Camanchaca, that aim to introduce students and teachers to the fascinating world of the fishing industry. Through these experiences, students can explore various industry aspects and processes while gaining practical and valuable knowledge. It’s an immersion in science, technology, and sustainability; plus, it’s a look at how these elements combine to address sector challenges.

One of the experiments, “Mussels and Climate Change,” utilizes the students’ mobile device cameras to observe the impact of ocean acidification on marine biodiversity. This exercise not only educates, but raises awareness of, the challenges faced by marine species like the Chilean mussel. Furthermore, it aligns with Camanchaca’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Camanchaca has received the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification, which recognizes measurable, positive change in global seafood farming.

Next, the “Nutrient Colors” experiment invites students to investigate the nutritional characteristics of crustaceans like shrimp, a resource distributed by Camanchaca in Chile. Through Lab4U’s logbook, students can explore the presence of pigments, like carotenoids, in these animals, offering a valuable lesson about the importance of a healthy diet.

To delve deeper into the salmon industry, the “Salmon Farming” experiment provides a unique opportunity to explore the factors influencing salmon reproduction and embryonic development. The investigation uses salmon as a model of study, offering practical insights into one of Chile’s most significant industries.

Lastly, “The Journey of Jack Mackerel” takes students into the ocean’s currents, explaining how they influence the availability of the jack mackerel, a nutritious food source. It’s a high-protein, preservative-free, Omega-3-rich product from a sustainable fishing industry with ASC certification.

One of the experiments, “Mussels and Climate Change,” utilizes the students’ mobile device cameras to observe the impact of ocean acidification on marine biodiversity. This exercise not only educates, but raises awareness of, the challenges faced by marine species like the Chilean mussel. Furthermore, it aligns with Camanchaca’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Camanchaca has received the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification, which recognizes measurable, positive change in global seafood farming.

Next, the “Nutrient Colors” experiment invites students to investigate the nutritional characteristics of crustaceans like shrimp, a resource distributed by Camanchaca in Chile. Through Lab4U’s logbook, students can explore the presence of pigments, like carotenoids, in these animals, offering a valuable lesson about the importance of a healthy diet.

To delve deeper into the salmon industry, the “Salmon Farming” experiment provides a unique opportunity to explore the factors influencing salmon reproduction and embryonic development. The investigation uses salmon as a model of study, offering practical insights into one of Chile’s most significant industries.

Lastly, “The Journey of Jack Mackerel” takes students into the ocean’s currents, explaining how they influence the availability of the jack mackerel, a nutritious food source. It’s a high-protein, preservative-free, Omega-3-rich product from a sustainable fishing industry with ASC certification.

Taken in sum, the Lab4Sea program is more than just an opportunity to learn about the fishing industry; it is also a deep, hands-on experience that prepares students for a STEM-based future and helps them identify the challenges of building a more environmentally conscious world. Using Lab4Sea, both teachers and students benefit from Lab4U and Camanchaca’s unique partnership, which promotes quality education and raises awareness about sustainability in the Chilean fishing industry.

Join this exciting learning journey!

Taken in sum, the Lab4Sea program is more than just an opportunity to learn about the fishing industry; it is also a deep, hands-on experience that prepares students for a STEM-based future and helps them identify the challenges of building a more environmentally conscious world. Using Lab4Sea, both teachers and students benefit from Lab4U and Camanchaca’s unique partnership, which promotes quality education and raises awareness about sustainability in the Chilean fishing industry.

Join this exciting learning journey!

Lab4U on the World Stage: Recapping the 2023 World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos

Lab4U was proud to be part of discussions on the future of education and work at the World Economic Forum in January. Represented by Lab4U’s CEO, Komal Dadlani, the company served as an exemplar for the importance of skill- and STEM-based education, how to rethink access to technology in the classroom, and what it means to build an EdTech start-up in Latin America and with a female CEO.

As a 2022 Young Global Leader—a designation given by the WEF to identify exceptional individuals with the vision and drive to change the world—Dadlani was invited to Davos to represent not only her company, but also her country. Out of the 2,700-plus guests from over 100 countries, she was the only female entrepreneur from Chile to attend.

At the forum, Dadlani participated in multiple panels rethinking global approaches to education and employment. One highlight included attending “Skills First: Unlocking Employment for All,” where CEO of Code.org Hadi Partovi spoke about broadening the global talent pipeline by prioritizing skills development over school brands. This perspective mirrors WEF’s Education 4.0 framework for advancing education reform worldwide and resonates deeply with Lab4U’s mission.

Dadlani then presented at a private panel of multiple international leaders, including Guillermo Lasso, president of Ecuador; Raquel Peña Rodríguez de Antuña, vice president of the Dominican Republic; Ilan Goldfain, president of the InterAmerican Bank; Jose Manuel Salazar, executive secretary of the United Nations; Brazil Luna de Souza, executive director of the Institute of Identities; and moderator Andrés Velasco, Dean of the London School of Economics and former minister in Chile; among others. As the conversation’s theme was sustainability in Latin America, Dadlani spoke about Lab4U’s work in the communities along with partners such as BHP, SQM and PADF, and about the importance of investing in STEM education for growing GDP and progressing as a region. And, given her unique position, she pushed the panel by sharing that only 3% of this kind of investment goes to female founders—a poor figure that must be addressed for better equity and inclusion.

After an exciting week engaging with powerful thinkers and expanding Lab4U’s network, Dadlani had three main takeaways: that too many people feel students aren’t properly trained to thrive in tomorrow’s workforce, that schools, particularly in Latin America, need to include computer science and digital skills as part of their core curriculum, and that all education needs to embrace the tenets of creativity, collaboration, and citizenship for perennial impact.

These are exactly the challenges Lab4U solves for, as its phone-based platform increases STEM access and strengthens creative, collaborative, and skills-based learning.

For her part, Dadlani found the entire experience enriching and hopes to return again next year. “It was a privilege to represent Chile, Lab4U, and Lab4U’s clients and to tell the world how together we are transforming STEM education and empowering the future workforce.”