School Students Visit iHEALTH to Explore the Science Behind Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
On Wednesday, October 2nd, a group of high school juniors from Academia de Humanidades School of the Dominican Fathers visited the Central Hub of the Millennium Institute iHEALTH as part of Campus Abierto, an event organized by PAR Explora Región Metropolitana Sur Oriente and the Pedagogical Practice System of the Faculty of Education at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
During the visit, the students participated in two interactive activities designed to introduce them to the world of magnetism and MRI technologies. The visit was part of the Campus Abierto initiative, which aims to connect students with practical experiences at various centers of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, fostering active learning of scientific phenomena.
The first activity, led by Rafael De La Sotta, research engineer at iHEALTH, featured a brief presentation introducing the students to the physical principles of magnetism and how these phenomena are related to the work of the institute and the generation of MRI images. Through a hands-on activity using magnets and iron filings, the students were able to directly experience how magnetic fields are generated and manipulated.
In the second activity, the students visited the operating room of the 0.55T Magnetic Resonance Scanner, guided by Ignacio Celis, Medical Technologist in charge of the equipment. During this session, students observed real-life MRI images of fruits, where they learned about the equipment’s applications in medical diagnostics.
The day not only allowed students to acquire scientific knowledge through direct experience, but also opened a window into the potential applications of science and technology in healthcare.
Such activities reaffirm iHEALTH’s commitment to scientific outreach and its mission to inspire future generations to engage with science, engineering, and technology, enhancing their educational and professional opportunities in areas key to the development of healthcare in Chile.
