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Simbiosis

About the project

In a world where connection with nature is becoming increasingly scarce, Symbiosis is born, an innovative educational project that seeks to bring children closer to the ancestral knowledge of Chilean medicinal plants through a unique multisensory experience.

Symbiosis proposes an interactive pedagogical resource that allows children, both with and without visual disabilities, to explore the world of medicinal plants through touch, smell and sight.

General Objective: To connect children with and without visual impairments to the environment through Chilean ancestral medicinal culture.

Specific Objectives:

  • Identify and recognize medicinal plants through touch and sight.
  • Classify herbs according to their morphological characteristics.
  • Value medicinal plants as an alternative source of health.

Problem

This issue is subject to a concept called “Plant Blindness,” proposed in 1990 by two American botanists who conducted studies on the topic. My objectives are based on identifying popular Chilean medicinal plants, which are considered part of the Mapuche oral tradition, to which we all have a historical and patrimonial bond.
From the Plant Blindness concept I completed a future wheel trying to understand how this idea could be expanded to different areas of the education and society, touching contextual milestones that the society in Chile made in the past and identifying consequences today.

Process

Doing some research on the endemic medicinal plants based in the City of Chile, I found that a lot of plants that were growing in the streets, as called “undergrowth” plants have benefits for the health, and from there I took 5 different plants considering benefits, shapes, colours, smell.

From that collection I took photos and analyze their anatomy and take pictures of all of them.

“Symbiosis” takes its name from the concept of “The Intimate association of organisms of different species to benefit themselves in their vital development.” For me, it signifies a profound connection between the audience and nature, and vice versa, with a significant emphasis on the pressing need for environmental awareness and planet conservation, reflecting universal design principles.

The selection of plants is drawn from a medicinal book of popular Chilean plants, which have been historically used for various remedies and treatments. These plants have been passed down through oral tradition from our ancestors and can be commonly found in our backyards and kitchens.

Conclusion

Symbiosis represents an innovative educational proposal with the potential to transform the way children learn about Chilean medicinal plants. Through an attractive and accessible multisensory experience, Symbiosis seeks to foster connection with nature, ancestral knowledge, and the appreciation of natural medicine.

Call to Action

Support is sought from the educational community, researchers, and entities interested in the development of this project. Collaboration will allow optimizing the design, production, and educational materials of Symbiosis, making it a valuable tool for environmental education and inclusion.