Students from Medellín’s Santa Elena Rural District Create Butterfly House Combining Technology and Innovation

The students were supported by Ruta N’s Generación Tech program.

Fifth-grade students at the Santa Elena Rural School, in eastern Medellín, developed a butterfly house that combines knowledge of their territory with technology and innovation tools. As part of Ruta N’s Generación Tech program, they learned how to code and use sensors to monitor variables such as temperature, humidity, movement, and the presence of butterflies.

The project was created to identify the butterfly species that inhabit the area and contribute to their conservation. The butterfly house thus became a learning space where students observe the life cycle of these insects, identify the conditions they need to develop, and strengthen their knowledge of the biodiversity in their territory.

Isabela Manco, one of the students, said that the experience has allowed her to learn about computational thinking, programming, and butterflies in general. “We have practiced a lot with artificial intelligence, collaborative work, and respect for animals,” she said.

To incorporate technology into the project, the students learned programming principles and worked with sensors that allow them to collect environmental data and detect the presence of butterflies. The information gathered serves as an input for observing changes in the butterfly house and relating the data to the conditions required to care for the species.

In 2026, Ruta N’s Generación Tech program has brought together 6,000 students from more than 200 public and private schools in Medellín, achieving more than 700% growth in participation, equivalent to a sevenfold increase in reach.

“When we bring science, technology, and innovation closer to girls, boys, and young people, we give them the skills to discover that they can also propose solutions to the challenges they encounter in their communities. The butterfly house at the Santa Elena Rural School is an example of how knowledge can become a way to protect biodiversity while also developing new skills. When a student turns a question about their territory into an initiative, they also begin to recognize that they have the knowledge and capabilities to contribute to their community and transform their surroundings,” said Carolina Londoño, Executive Director of Ruta N.

The butterfly house at the Santa Elena Rural School is just one example of the projects developed through Ruta N’s Generación Tech program, which brings science, technology, and innovation closer to students as tools for addressing real needs and encouraging them to see their territory from new perspectives. Through this strategy, students discover knowledge as a way to propose solutions and take part from an early age in building a Medellín with more opportunities for everyone.

Download the press kit here

Are you already following Ruta N’s WhatsApp channel to stay up to date with what is happening in Medellín’s innovation ecosystem? Subscribe here