Astronomer and science communicator Francisca Contreras, also known as Fran Astrónoma, reaffirmed her support for the 2026 edition of the “Haz que Despeguen” campaign. This initiative, spearheaded by the Oportunidad Educational Foundation, aims to promote enrollment in preschool through a unique experience: an all-expenses-paid trip to an international space center for 16 preschoolers—one from each region of the country—accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Contreras, who was already involved in promoting the campaign in 2025, once again emphasizes the importance of introducing children to science from an early age. Through her Instagram account @fran.astronoma, where she shares educational content with thousands of followers, she has helped instill the value of scientific curiosity in children.
“When science enters children’s lives early on, it broadens what they believe is possible for themselves,” she said. She explained that initiatives such as “Haz que Despeguen” “achieve something unusual: they connect daily attendance at preschool with meaningful experiences that give meaning to that process.”
She added that “the campaign not only presents scientific content in an engaging way, but also conveys a powerful message: regularly attending preschool and school opens up real, concrete opportunities that can mark a turning point.”
Regarding the trip to an international space center, he emphasized its value as a transformative experience. “It’s not just about visiting an iconic place, but about experiencing science firsthand. Those kinds of experiences leave a lasting impression because they turn something that seemed distant into something tangible, and that has a direct impact on how children imagine their future,” he said.
To apply, parents or guardians must register their children on the website www.hazquedespeguen.cl. The program is open to children attending preschool—from pre-K to kindergarten—at public or subsidized private schools. The deadline is June 30.