INACAP Iquique students compete in national construction innovation contest

Students from the INACAP Iquique campus participated in the national semifinals of the Reto Construye Academia 2026, an innovation initiative organized by the Chilean Chamber of Construction (CChC) and the Technological Development Corporation (CDT).

The team, known as Reblock Tarapacá, consists of students Juan Castillo García, John Quisbert Copa, and Joaquín Contreras Báez, guided by professor Giancarlo Castañeda Pérez. Their project involves creating ecological paving stones made from traditional concrete, PET plastic, and recycled rubber to promote circular economy and decarbonization within the construction industry.

After winning the regional stage, the team presented their proposal in Santiago against representatives from 15 other regional branches. While they did not advance to the grand final, the competition provided an opportunity to receive expert feedback and engage with other academic solutions for industry challenges.