Projects
Agroanfibia
Flagship Partner ProjectAgroanfibia is a student research group (semillero de investigación) at the Institución Educativa San Marcos. Operating within Colombia's Programa Ondas youth science initiative, they have built a floating classroom from a 14-meter cargo canoe, partnered with the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana for environmental research, and sent a student to MIT and Harvard through Colombia's MinCiencias program.
Led by teacher Jairo Rafael Castro Acosta, a 2026 Global Teacher Prize Top 50 finalist, Agroanfibia represents exactly the kind of grassroots science education that transforms communities.
Agroanfibia in Action
Recognitions & Awards
Teacher Jairo Rafael Castro Acosta selected among 50 finalists worldwide (from 5,000+ nominations, 139 countries) for the $1M Global Teacher Prize by the Varkey Foundation and UNESCO.
Varkey Foundation / UNESCOStudent Maria Angel Escobar Ruiz selected as one of 10 national winners by MinCiencias. Traveled to MIT and Harvard (May 20-28, 2023) and met Physics Nobel laureate Dr. Wolfgang Ketterle.
MinCiencias / Programa OndasLa Chachara won the National Digital Journalism Prize for their story about Agroanfibia and the floating classroom.
La ChacharaWhat They Need
- Laptops and tablets for student research
- Environmental monitoring equipment (Raspberry Pi kits, water quality sensors)
- Internet connectivity for remote collaboration
- Travel funding for field expeditions and academic conferences
- Training in data collection, analysis, and scientific writing