The ULS students were able to share their experiences and those values ​​that contributed to achieving a runner-up finish in Australia, in addition to aspects related to the use of non-conventional renewable energies. 

The 22 sixth grade students of the Andrés Bello School (Centro) who visited the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of La Serena, with the purpose of participating in a talk by the ULS students, were very enthusiastic and motivated. who make up the Antakari team, runner-up of the World Solar Challenge in Australia 2013, a competition in which the Intikallpa II solar car covered a distance of 3 thousand kilometers between the cities of Darwin and Adelaide, leaving behind representatives from prestigious universities in North America , Europe and Asia.

The activity aimed to share with the students, their teacher in charge and parents, the team's experience in the aforementioned international competition and in the “Desafío Solar Atacama” races, where the students became two-time national champions (2011-2012). But also to be able to transmit those values ​​that contributed to achieving this achievement and aspects related to the application of cutting-edge technologies in the area of ​​computational engineering design and the use of non-conventional renewable energies. 

The student Roberto Orrego, a member of the team that was in Australia and who gave the talk together with Carolina Herrera, stressed that these instances are a space to share those experiences and experiences “that have allowed us to grow a lot, transmit values ​​such as camaraderie and perseverance, but also to encourage them to do new things, to dare.”

Furthermore, he explained that given the current energy crisis that the country is experiencing, it is relevant for new generations to know about renewable energy projects, how they can be used and the advantages of their use. 

Professor Gabriela Torres, in charge of the 6th year B of the Andrés Bello School, highlighted the development of this activity, pointing out that "last year, in the Ministry's book, the solar car race was mentioned (...), we were seeing the unit of energy. The children wanted to come, contacts were made for the visit and it was very interesting.” She also highlighted that the students have shared value aspects and what they achieved as a team, “since as a teacher, in addition to knowledge, they are taught values. “Teamwork is important and it helps students and motivates them to achieve goals,” she commented. 

“The energy that is needed to move the car caught my attention, I knew the technology but I had never seen it so close,” mentioned Rodrigo Miranda, one of his students, who expressed his joy at learning about the solar car and its operation. . 

Like Rodrigo and his classmates, other students in the area will be able to attend these talks about the Intikallpa solar car. To do this, interested teachers must contact the team members by writing to the email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

next challenge

The Antakari team is working intensely on the creation of a new 4-wheeled solar car that will be called IK3, with which they will represent the ULS and the Coquimbo Region in this year's “Atacama Solar Challenge.” In addition, work is being done on a project to consolidate the line of non-conventional renewable energy. 

The new model will have an even more aerodynamic design, highlighting the 20% reduction in the total weight of the car, with which it is expected to compete and maintain national and global positioning.