ANNUAL2021-2022REPORT
The Centro Criollo de Ciencia y Tecnología del Caribe (C3Tec) (Caribbean Science and Technology Center) is proud to present our annual report 20212022. In light of our new reality, we are very satisfied because were able to exceed our expectations and we were able to position ourselves as an excellent science and technology center. Some of the most relevant results include more alliances and strategic collaborations with other organizations, which resulted in more relationships and led us to be able to provide new experiences. In addition, we increased our reach and impact in the school community with more offers. We also launched STEAM education for young children, allowing this new population to have access to this type of learning. On the other hand, since we are aware of the need for environmental protection, we expanded our offers with new strategies to look for ways to make our population aware of the importance of caring for the environment.
Tasha L. Endara Álvarez Executive Director
At C3Tec we continue providing educational experiences to our visitors in a fun way while providing excellent education in STEAM. As always, we thank our C3Tec Friends, donors, and collaborators that have continued supporting our commitment to providing Fun Education. We are ready for a new year full of new challenges and experiences.
THE YEAR OF NEW ALLIANCES AND CHALLENGES
Finally, I want to thank the C3Tec work team. Thanks to you, C3Tec was able to continue operating and working for the community. May the future bring growing opportunities and an expansion of our scope for STEAM learning for our children.
I want to highlight the participation of the school community during this year, particularly in our symbolic events such as: Back to School Safe and Healthy, International Day of Science and Technology Centers and Museums, Earth Hour, and the Climate Change Awareness campaign.
Likewise, I want to recognize the commitment of the C3Tec Friends and collaborators that contributed to achieving the mission of C3Tec: “promote a scientific and technological culture in a learning environment that is interactive and innovative. Promote curiosity and interest in science and technology in everyone that participates” .
This report showcases the creative abilities, commitment, and resilience of our team. Within nine working areas, we have developed around thirty activities that respond to the strategic guidelines of the C3Tec. All of that in the middle of a pandemic and the transition period that still requires safety measures.
Hon.Onwards!William Miranda Torres President of Board of Directors
Hon. William E. Miranda Torres President Víctor Coriano Reyes Treasurer Ing. Oscar Jiménez Mártir Secretary Zamia Baerga Torres Ing. Félix Rivera Yanira Santos Félix Negrón Yunque Lcda. Sandra Castejón Dr. David Méndez Pagán Dra. Inés Quiles
EMPOWER YOUR
V i sion: Moving towards 2025, the Centro Criollo de Ciencia y Tecnología del Caribe aspires to be recognized as the meeting place for the scientific community and the community in general. To become the main promoter of creativity and innovation through a scientific and technological culture that contributes to the economic and social development of Puerto Rico.
Trajectory: The Centro Criollo de Ciencia y Tecnología del Caribe (C3Tec), is a nonprofit corporation that was incorporated in the State Department of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in June 22, 2007, opening the doors to the public in 2013. It was created to satisfy the needs of our community/ country. Science and technology are economic and social driving forces in modern countries. The products and services generated by technology represent the competitive advantage of a country in the global economy.
Puerto Rico needs to effectively stimulate students to take on scientific careers and have their scientific knowledge translated to products and services that result in progress for the country. C3Tec is the only informal learning institution in Puerto Rico exclusively dedicated to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics). C3tec is a member of the International Association of Science Centers and Museums (ASTC).
The C3tec is part of the Educational City of the Autonomous Municipality of Caguas (Ciudad Educadora del Municipio Autónomo de Caguas). We believe all citizens must be involved with the education of our children, not just their classroom teacher. Caguas joins a global trend of modern countries that provide a place for science and technology as a global language, becoming places for permanent learning. The C3tec is the third corner of the “learning triangle”, made up of the School of Science and Mathematics (CIMATEC) and the Science and Technology Start-Up Center. KNOWLEDGE
Mission : Centro Criollo de Ciencia y Tecnología del Caribe (C3Tec) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a scientific and technological culture in a learning environment that is interactive and innovative. It encourages curiosity in science and technology in all our participants.
5 | C3Tec EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM......................................................................6 Going Deep Into Our Island...............................................................6 Committed with the Environment....................................................8 SCIENCE OurFinance.................................................................................35Communications.....................................................................33NewImprovementsRescuingVolunteers..............................................................................29AlliancesAnCommunityFunMakerEarlySteamWomen’sCodepillarsGIRLS...................................................................................10Club...............................................................................10DayandScienceGirls....................................................11forKids..................................................................................13ChildhoodSummit.................................................................14Academy................................................................................15Education.................................................................................16Outreach.......................................................................18EducationalExperienceThroughtheMovies................................24andEvents.........................................................................25OurGreenCeiling...........................................................30totheFacilities.........................................................31Concessionaire........................................................................32Values........................................................................................36
6 | C3Tec EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM Going Deep Into Our Island Going Deep Into Our Island (Adentrándonos a nuestra isla) is a new program consisting of workshops within our permanent exhibition of “Our Body, Our Island, Our Planet.” Through these workshops focused on marine and environmental sciences, we aim to develop the capabilities of the XXI century such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration. We develop activities aligned with the objectives for the creation of innovation and that connect with the sustainability mission through topics about Puerto Rico, such as: coral reefs, marine algae in Puerto Rico, climate change and its effects, marine world professionals, forests, flora and fauna, and others. We celebrate: • Astronomy Day • An Expedition through the Pacific Ocean, Nautilus • Climate PuertoClimateFilms•AwarenessChangecampaignSecondFestivalofShortaboutclimatechange:EmergencyinRico,UPRHumacao 700
Earth Hour On Saturday, March 26, 2022, we celebrated Earth Hour in the C3Tec building in collaboration with the Environmental Issues Office of the municipality of Caguas. During this day we had an Educational Environmental Festival with exhibitions, educational talks, musical performances, and theater performances related to the environment. For one hour, all the lights in the building were turned off and we had an educational activity. At 9:30pm we turned the lights back on. Earth Hour is no longer an event that lasts one hour, it has become the biggest global movement for the environment. The numbers from the 2021 campaign show that there were 2.4 million visits in social media, 6.7 billion posts with informative material, and more than 190 countries and territories were part of Earth Hour, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
7 | C3Tec EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM Going Deep Into Our Island
8 | C3Tec
For the second year, we celebrated World Ocean Day with the participation of Yashira A. Cruz Rodríguez, marine biologist of the University of Puerto Rico, Humacao. She currently works as an educator and communicator in marine and environmental sciences. During the live presentation, she was navigating in the Nautilus Exploration Ship, which belongs to the non-profit organization, Ocean Exploration Trust (OET). In this expedition, a crew of cartographers, navigators, videographers, and communicators were developing maps of the marine bed in the Atoll Johnston waters and setting up drop cams of the National Geographic Society, which are placed in the marine bed to record videos of the geology and fauna in the region. The atoll is part of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, a protected area in the Pacific that belongs to the United States, which is considered part of the Exclusive Economic Zone of the USA.
C3Tec is Committed with the Environment 23 in4,795personvirtual EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Green Christmas At C3Tec we celebrated Christmas by promoting environmental awareness and sustainable practices
An initiative with the purpose of providing information about ecosystems, promoting their care, conservation, and recovery. We focus on sustainable practices for the protection of the environment, incorporating values and tools to prevent and solve environmental issues.
Green Community
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EDUCATIONALparticipants490 PROGRAM C3Tec is Committed with the Environment
10 | C3Tec 112
SCIENCE GIRLS Codepillars Club 5th
Cycle5th
Cycle The objective of this program is to encourage girls to be excited about professions related to science, technology, and engineering. The program promotes equality for girls in the science, technology and research fields as viable alternatives in their future professional development. It also empowers girls so they can visualize themselves as future entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders in science and technology.
On March 8, the Centro Criollo de Ciencia y Tecnología (C3Tec) celebrated International Women’s Day for the fifth consecutive year, with the topic of Rectifying Inequalities and Removing Barriers. The event included a panel of women in the science and technology fields who talked about the challenges and opportunities to revolutionize the next generation of STEAM professionals, in addition to recognizing the introduction of women and girls in science. Over 104 young women participated in person, 1,104 virtually, and for the first time, we had a sign language interpreter for the deaf population.
SCIENCE GIRLS 11 | C3Tec
Thank you to all our collaborators for making this possible!
International Women’s Day and Girls in Science
Recognition of Codepillars Club SCIENCE GIRLS SCIENCE GIRLS
The International Educational Cities Association recognized the Science Girl’s Codepillars Club, during International Women’s Day. This article was translated in four languages, Spanish, English, Portuguese, and French. Thank you to the Titin Foundation for sponsoring this initiative from its inception to the present, and to the Autonomous Municipality of Caguas for allowing us to include this initiative under the offers of the Educational City of Caguas.
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An initiative with the purpose of providing in-depth knowledge to young children (3 - 8 years) in STEAM related topics. Through this initiative, participants developed reasoning, creativity, problem solving, language and communication abilities.
13 | C3Tec EDUCATIONALSTEAMPROGRAMforKids39GIRLS
Participation in the Early Childhood Summit organized by the Childhood Care and Development Service Administration Gabriela(ACUDEN). Rivera, Manager of the Educational Program, conducted the workshop: Opportunities for STEAM Development, for children 0 to 5 years of age. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM Early Childhood Summit 14 | C3Tec 125
Maker Academy is an initiative of innovative training that integrates technological knowledge with experience based on constructionism, by providing projects and challenges to research and understand STEAM subjects in engineering, electronics, and programming. They also promote the use of materials and technology such as: C++ and Arduino programming, 3D modeling (manual and digital production), 3D design, digital manufacturing, and virtual reality. We had 80 students and 40 teachers in the following educational institutions:
*Nuestra
*José Gautier Benítez School *Luis Ramos González School
*Be You Academy EDUCATIONALMakerPROGRAMAcademy 15 | C3Tec
*Gerardo Sellés Solá School Escuela
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM Fun Education 16 | C3Tec Weird ScienceScienceCenters and Museums Day STEAM Summer 1,443133112
This year we celebrated World Play Day by recounting games from the past, and playing with current technological games. We celebrated by playing with spinners (trompo), yo-yo’s, “gallitos”, kites, dominoes, marbles, jumping rope, etc., and current games such as virtual reality. All of the adults that participated had the opportunity of remembering games from their childhood and all of the children were able to play and make their own “gallitos” and kites. The purpose was to create a space for family fun and laughs, to free the imagination, explore the environment, express their vision and creativity through verbal and body language. In addition to the construction of a peaceful and harmonious culture.
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Fun Education EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
ThBirthdaysisyearwe continued offering birthday celebrations with access to our exhibition and presenting an educational documentary in 3D. They also have the opportunity to celebrate with fun science experiments with their family and friends. Play Day
COMMUNITY OUTREACH C3Tec at Home 18 | C3Tec Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, C3Tec developed virtual meetings like workshops, talks and interviews so people could enjoy them at home. We have professionals that with their skills and experiences, aligned to global STEAM celebratory events, have been able to provide information, knowledge, and fun education to all of our followers, from the comfort of their homes. We have continued to offer this as part of our Education Program. 12,593visits
COMMUNITY OUTREACH 19 | C3Tec C3Tec Visits You • SER de Puerto Rico • Festival to celebrate International Planet Day • Science Week, UAGM Carolina Precinct participants150
Graduation of the second class of the Caribbean School of Data. Courses focused on the safe use of the Internet, work skills, and effective problem solving, using social media and the web. The graduation was held at C3Tec. This initiative is in alliance with the School of Business Administration of Mona Jamaica University. COMMUNITY OUTREACH Digital Literacy 20 | C3Tec participants20
The C3Tec along with the Ángel Ramos Foundation and the Carlos Albizu University, decided to join forces and have a back to school activity with educational and interactive talks for families about going back to school amid the COVID-19 pandemic, how to identify and manage feelings, personal hygiene, good nutrition, and how to behave during natural disasters, and others. We also integrated art, documentaries, music, and characters in a dynamic way so families could enjoy the day while learning.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH Return to School Safe and Healthy 21 | C3Tec participants96
Since the start of the pandemic in early 2020, concerns have increased about the effects that it would have in our daily lives and mental health. This new scenario entailed a reorganization of time and space, altered our routines, in addition to the transformations it caused in our relationships.
During the past year, we continued offering tutoring and assistance in different subjects. However, this year we started providing interactive tutoring in the laboratories, as a strategy to promote the construction of their own knowledge.
participants1,198 participantes
C3Tec recognizes that learning in a laboratory setting is more than the command of several devices, it is also a strategy for thought formation. In order to provide a significant experience for students, we have to address their interests, but if the experience is not within their interests, we have to create that interest.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH TUTORING AND VIRTUAL ASSISTANCE 22 | C3Tec
In an educational alliance with AMGEN, we introduced “World of Molecular Biology”, consisting of workshops about biology and biotechnology: what are genes, cellular reproduction, genetic inheritance, biotechnology, and bioinformatics. Participating schools: • Escuela Juan A. Sánchez, Juncos • José Collazo Colón, Juncos • Escuela Sandalio Marcano, Caguas • Escuela Eduardo García Carrillo, Canóvanas • Escuela Francisco Morales, Naranjito • Escuela Sotero Figueroa, San Juan • Pedro Albizu Campos, Aguas Buenas • Escuela Carmen Bozello Huyke, Arroyo COMMUNITY OUTREACH 23 | C3Tec WORLD OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY participantes1,198 participants460
AN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE MOVIES
This documentary is about the history of how we are immersed in the world of electronic devices and how unaware we are about the world that surrounds us. The documentary takes us in a journey with Katie and her family, a girl that is not aware of the real world that surrounds her. The documentary shows us how Katie gradually discovers the complex secrets that nature has hidden close to her house, and we experience the happiness she finds in her interactions with this new world. person: 2,511 virtual: 549
The Last Reef This documentary is about the history of climate change in the planet, specifically the marine ecosystems such as the coral reef in Palau, Vancouver Island, French Polynesia, Mexico, and the Bahamas. The documentary takes us on a world journey to explore the connection of our cities on land with the complex parallel world in the oceans. Backyard Wilderness
With our program “An Educational Experience Through the Movies” we aim to encourage students to learn about science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, which has always been our main objective. We identified the need to diversify the offers to children and young kids in the following topics: atmospheric, space, marine, physical, and astronomy sciences. They were presented in an interactive way through documentaries and were complemented with workshops from the initiative “Empower Your Knowledge.”
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM 24 | C3Tec
3,650 In
Chemical Association, Interamerican University, Arecibo Campus
Girl Scouts (STEAM representatives)
25 | C3Tec EDUCATIONALALLIANCESPROGRAMANDEVENTS
26 | C3Tec EducationALLIANCESDepartment, Autonomous Municipality of Caguas Local Learning Center 21st Century Community Learning Centers Afterschool Program STEAM workshops for 300 students in the schools Pedro Millán and Segunda Unidad José Mercado for a period of three years. Headquarters of the Local Educational Support Program Health promoters, José Gautier Benítez school
SEVEN NEW ALLIANCES 27 | C3Tec At C3Tec we are committed to promote and cultivate alliances with other organizations. This way we increase our scope and impact in the community.
28 | C3Tec ALLIANCESCollaboratorsthatsupport our educational programs and events that promote innovation and creativity in STEAM areas: • 3M • 404 Coffee & Beers • Alliance for Puerto Rico without Drugs • Ana G. Méndez University • Ángel Ramos Foundation • Autonomous Municipality of Caguas, Department of Municipal Education • Camera Mundi • Caribbean Astronomy Society • Chemical Association • Child Protection Coalition • CIMATEC • Corteva • Deborah Martorell, Meteorologist • Echar Pa’lante, Banco Popular Foundation • Engiworks • Ford • Girls Scouts • INDUNIV • Johnson & Johnson • Joint Commission on Legislative Donations • Mano Amiga, Plaza Las Américas Foundation • Marine Environment Society • Milagro de Amor Corporation • Observation, Astronomical Diffusion, and Space Science Association • Piloto 151 • Robinson School • San Juan Bay Estuary • Titin Foundation • Ultimate Solution • University of Puerto Rico, Humacao Campus • Visitor and Science Center, Ángel Ramos Foundation, Arecibo Observatory • VIATRIS
VOLUNTEERSSTE[a]MERS 29 | C3Tec Our volunteer program is made up of citizens, active professionals, retirees and students, that voluntarily provide their services in different educational, cultural, and administrative aspects. A total of 714.75 hours represents $9,084.47 35,059 In14,547person20,602virtualVISITORS
Palma Roja Arboricultura & Paisajismo is the company selected to review and update the details and specifications for the rehabilitation project of the Green Ceiling of C3TEC. They are in charge of preparing the plan for the use of the spaces, detailed plans for sowing, and plans for the floor tiles, production tables, garden crates, green wall, etc.
RESCUING OUR GREEN CEILING
30 | C3Tec ADMINISTRATION
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ADMINISTRATIONFACILITIES 31 | C3Tec • Maintenance of the sub-station • Cleaning of interior and exterior glass • Changing toilets • Cooling Tower, mechanical rooms and handlers • Cleaning of the water tank • Replacement of emergency and regular lamps • Pit sealing of main building elevator • Equipment for movie theater • Repair and maintenance of the permanent exhibition $118,514.00Investment
32 | C3Tec NEWADMINISTRATIONCONCESSIONER
ADMINISTRATIONCOMMUNICATIONS
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The investment in marketing (digital and offline) is made with the purpose of promoting the center and creating traffic for our monthly events and activities. Investing in our digital platforms allows us to reach new audiences and remain visible, in order to help us reach our objectives. It’s worth mentioning that we are also investing in the production of materials and content, which is optimized according to the needs of the Center and the interests of the audiences we want to impact.
34 | C3Tec ADVERTISINGADMINISTRATIONUnpaidadvertising Advertisementsinsocialmedia $25,850 $3,313.70
ADMINISTRATIONFINANCE 35 | C3Tec Total 1,370,531
Innovation: encourage creativity, imagination and research for new alternatives that promote the economic and social development by using science and technology as the core concepts.
Passion: we are committed in mind and heart in promoting science, technology, and innovation to transform lives.
Equality: provide equal opportunity to access to learning and to the possibilities that science and technology provide.
Leadership: we model behavior aimed to motivate interest in science and technology.
Sustainability: promoting balance between social, environmental and economic factors, with the goal of encouraging the harmonious development of the individuals, the community and the environment.
36 | C3Tec OUR VALUES
Respect: promote the dignified treatment of humans, recognize social and cultural diversity to avoid discrimination, and value the diversity of opinions. This promotes an inclusive environment that encourages learning.
Quality: manifested in our services, in the experience that our client lives when they visit us, in the professionalism of our employees, and in each of our educational programs.
Responsibility: commitment with our role in the economic and social development of Puerto Rico.
Effective 2016, C3Tec aligned the 17 Objectives of Sustainable Development approved by the United Nations Organization (ONU) to the work plan. This means that everything that C3Tec offers is aligned and designed to search for new ways to improve the lives of everyone. We work to eliminate poverty, fight climate change, promote quality education, women equality, reduction of inequality, defending the environment, and designing our cities. to Transform
37 | C3Tec OUR VALUES 17 Objectives
Our World
59 Gautier Benítez Caguas, Puerto Rico Phone: 787.653.6391 E-mail: info@c3tec.org I www.c3tec.org
