News Release
La Paz, Bolivia – April 9, 2026
Mini Radio Novels, Maximum Impact: JLASC’s Science Communicator Plants Seeds of Scientific Spirit at Bolivia’s 3rd International Book Fair
In a vibrant celebration of creativity, collaboration, and media literacy, the Journal of Latin American Sciences and Culture (JLASC) reaffirmed its commitment to building a scientific culture across the Andean region through the active participation of Prof. Yelka Aguilera Santos, Science Engagement and Public Communication Officer at JLASC and Professor at Universidad Privada del Valle (UNIVALLE), Bolivia.
The occasion was the 3rd International Book Fair of El Alto, held in La Paz, Bolivia, where Aguilera Santos led the workshop “Mini Radio Novel: Bring a Story to Life” at the Espacio Infantil Kon-Tiki. The activity is directly aligned with the goals of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (UNESCO) and advances UNESCO’s Media and Information Literacy objectives, empowering children not only as consumers but as creators of narrative content.
Within the framework of the Andean Road Countries for Science and Technology (ARCST), the workshop transformed young participants into storytellers, voice actors, and collaborative teams. Children imagined characters, from flowers and animals to monsters and heroes, assigned them personalities and abilities, and co-wrote stories with clear beginnings, developments, and endings. The final step: recording their own mini radio novel, playing with tone, rhythm, and intonation to give their creations a voice.
“This workshop proves that science communication begins with curiosity and creativity,” said Aguilera Santos. “When children learn to build a story together, assign diverse traits to characters, and express emotions freely, they are practicing the very foundations of scientific thinking: observation, collaboration, tolerance, and innovation.”
The educational competencies developed included teamwork, leadership, creative writing, narrative structure, and paralinguistic skills, key components of media literacy. The workshop’s conclusion noted that children demonstrated enthusiasm, naturalness, and ingenuity, reminding adults of the value of expressing feelings without prejudice.
For the Journal of Latin American Sciences and Culture, this participation reflects our core mission: reaching children and new generations not merely as readers, but as active agents in the production of knowledge and imagination. By bridging storytelling and science engagement, the journal continues to promote a holistic scientific spirit, one where creativity and rationality grow side by side.
“Once again, children showed us how much they have to teach adults,” Aguilera Santos added. “Recovering that natural ability to express emotions freely is essential for any society that truly wants to build a sustainable and scientifically literate future.”
The Journal of Latin American Sciences and Culture remains committed to similar initiatives across Bolivia and the region, reinforcing that the seeds of tomorrow’s scientists are watered today with stories, voices, and shared creativity.
Editors: Moiya Sullivan & Shantel Guillaume
Journal of Latin American Sciences and Culture – Communication Office
Supporting the UNESCO International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development