ORCA engages in a range of projects designed to ensure that researchers worldwide can participate in, and benefit from, the global scientific conversation. In 2024, ORCA launched a new initiative to improve equitable access to biomedical research and learning opportunities in Latin America.
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Overview
ORCA engages in a range of projects designed to ensure that researchers worldwide can participate in, and benefit from, the global scientific conversation. In 2024, ORCA launched a new initiative to improve equitable access to biomedical research and learning opportunities in Latin America. The abreLA (Advancing Biomedical Research & Education in Latin America) project empowers students and faculty to conduct hands-on, in-class experiments, building foundational skills in inquiry-based learning and research methods. Central to our approach is the use of open science technologies, such as open hardware electrophysiology recording devices and open source software. These tools lower financial, geographic, and institutional barriers, giving underserved students a chance to gain experience and envision themselves in biomedical and other STEM careers. In parallel, using open tools foments a culture of sharing.
The abreLA project has so far reached twelve schools at ten universities across six Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay. Our program offers different participation levels and strategies, including educator workshops, in-class student activities, demonstrations, and outreach events. To date, we have delivered over 30 talks, seminars, and workshops reaching approximately 1,000 attendees; led more than 40 in-class activities with over 400 students; and donated more than 50 open hardware devices and kits to educational programs and their faculty.
Surveyed students described the activities as “dynamic,” “individualized,” and “interactive.” They also highlighted the technology’s relevance, noting that it “makes certain studies more accessible” and allowed them to “see knowledge applied to something real.” Faculty interviews revealed a shared recognition of open hardware’s role in promoting educational equity, viewing it as a potential solution for bridging resource gaps. These positive sentiments point to a viable model with clear educational benefits. Building on these successes, we are now exploring expanding this program to Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) in the U.S.
Target Communities
Professors at public and private Latin American universities, or U.S. MSIs
Undergraduate students in STEM fields (biomedical sciences and beyond)
Teaching assistants, or other staff and students supporting educational efforts
Goals
Promote the use of open hardware in the classroom by developing and sharing experimental practicals, and strategies to incorporate these into university courses.
Lower adoption barriers by creating clear lesson plans and protocols, and sharing these as Open Educational Resources (OERs).
Further lower barriers by sharing original data to make analysis accessible without the need to buy recording devices.
Develop interactive, open source software to simplify data science learning.
Gather feedback from participating students and faculty to improve training activities and document implementation strategies.
Outputs
Preprint on Improving biomedical education in Latin America through open science hardware, which describes our work with one medical school in Mexico
Repository that accompanies our preprint, sharing survey tools, original data, and analysis codebooks
Online e-book (OER): An interactive open-source course in muscle physiology and electromyography for undergraduates, with experimental and analysis practicals
How to Get Involved
If you are a professor or school who would like to learn more about this program, or are interested in local implementation, please contact Erin McKiernan at erin@orcaopen.org.
Current and Prior Funders
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (Grant 2024-347841)