ExpoCiencias Costa Rica 2026: Connecting Young Researchers
Turrialba, Costa Rica — From 19 to 22 August 2026, Expo‑Sciences National Costa Rica once again transformed the city into a hub for young researchers. Hosted at the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Centre (CATIE) and organised by the Inter‑American Scientific School and College IHS CATIE, the fair brought together student projects in research, technological innovation, and science education.
Far more than an exhibition, the event offered students and teachers the chance to exchange knowledge, present and defend their work before evaluators, and engage with ideas emerging from diverse educational contexts.
A highlight of this year’s edition was its international dimension. Several Mexican institutions participated after earning accreditation at science fairs in 2025, underscoring the fair’s role as a bridge between national and regional initiatives.
The projects showcased reflected a growing trend in youth research: sustainability, circular economy, waste recovery and reuse, new materials, and alternative energy. These themes demonstrate how school‑based science can evolve into practical solutions to pressing environmental and social challenges.
For the organisers, Expo‑Sciences National Costa Rica represents a long‑term commitment to science education and communication. By fostering opportunities to question, experiment, and share findings, the fair strengthens students’ ability to connect with the wider scientific community.
MILSET and MILSET Latin America warmly congratulate Angie Mata Tencio and Esteban Camacho Hidalgo for their leadership and dedication in making the 2026 edition possible. Their efforts have expanded opportunities for children and young people to engage with science, technology, and innovation, while building international connections.
The fair also reinforced Costa Rica’s role within the global Expo‑Sciences movement, highlighting the importance of educators and scientific leaders in creating spaces where new generations can develop their talents, share ideas, and broaden horizons.
Over four days, Turrialba became more than a venue for scientific projects; it became a meeting place for educational exchange and the cultivation of a scientific culture led by young people. The experience showed that a science fair is not merely an academic competition, but a common language that unites institutions, communities, and countries.
Expo‑Sciences National Costa Rica continues to establish itself as a platform where classroom ideas can travel further, where young researchers can showcase their talent, and where we are reminded that transformative scientific change often begins with a single student’s question.
