Inspired by Codelco División El Teniente’s “Connecting with Our Heritage” visit program, seventh-grade students from Colegio Isabel Riquelme in Rancagua participated in an educational workshop that connected them in a practical way with the history of Sewell, the mining camp declared a World Heritage Site.

The activity was part of a series of initiatives promoted by El Teniente in collaboration with the school, which seek to strengthen ties with the mining legacy. Students from the school have participated in the Stadium Experience program and divisional volunteering, which brought them closer to mining and its cultural legacy. In addition, they attended a talk by the superintendent of Mina Norte, Carlo Lobiano, on mining processes and their impact on the community.

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After the educational trip to Sewell, children created research projects and models that reflected their vision of the so-called City of Stairs.

Mónica Cerda Puentes, the school's director, explained that "for us, it was wonderful to learn about this beautiful heritage of humanity. What they did with the models was a way of continuing to spread the history and project it to their younger classmates."

The head teacher of the seventh grade, Alejandra Contreras, said that “we felt that we had to capture those lessons. I was born in Sewell and the visit was a pedagogical and personal experience. I wanted the students to also portray history through their own hands.”

Meanwhile, Marjori Caro, head of the CRA (Learning Resources Center) at Isabel Riquelme School, said that “we have to take advantage of what we have in our city. By focusing classes on our heritage, students learn in a concrete way and will never forget its importance, in addition to becoming interested in mining as a possible future career option.”

“A more fun way to learn”

Luis Zúñiga, a seventh-grade student, said, “I made a model of what it was like before and what it is like now. It was a nice initiative.” His classmate, Carla Pérez, added, “I portrayed what the mines were like in winter. Visiting Sewell was unforgettable, it helped us learn.”

Maximiliano Cheukuepán, a student at the same level, said: “I was impressed by the story, what caught my attention the most was the mine. The visit and this workshop showed us that education can be more entertaining.”

Her classmate Andrea Ramírez, stressed that “it is impressive everything that is preserved, it is a more fun way to learn.” Meanwhile, student Sofía Castillo added that “I found it very surprising. We saw the legacy on the ground, which we transfer to these works.”