HR4RS stamp
Irene Vega
Over the course of two weeks, one of the most important scientific outreach events in Europe has taken place: the Madrid Science and Innovation Week. Since its inception, the Rey Juan Carlos University has participated in all its editions, involving hundreds of professors and researchers from the institution. This year it has had more than 400 people involved in its organization between teaching staff, administration and services and collaborating students.
La range of activities has been wide, covering a wide variety of areas of knowledge, such as human anatomy and embryology, materials science, computer science, audiovisual communication, physics, chemistry, sociology, signal theory or food technology, among many others. In relation to the latter, the importance of the Mediterranean diet in the culture of Spain has been highlighted, highlighting foods that are highly valued in the kitchen, such as aromatic herbs. “Attendees have been able to see, smell, touch and taste thyme, rosemary, sage, basil, oregano, etc., differentiating between fresh, dried products and essential oils. We have also made them aware of its main uses and beneficial properties for health”, explains Isabel Sierra, deputy director of Quality and Accreditation at ESCET. In addition, during this activity a session was held in the laboratory where attendees were able to experiment with these products and carry out tests to control their quality.
Are they efficient? Smart cities? Is it possible to know the stars through computers? What is the digestive tract for?
The wide range of workshops and activities makes it possible to attract all kinds of audiences to the URJC, from Primary and Secondary students to people curious about the work that scientists do on a daily basis.
In relation to new technologies (ICTs), ETSIT researchers have shown how advances in this field allow optimizing the energy performance of buildings in the Smart cities, highlighting its importance in these new smart cities. Also in the school they have celebrated a gymkhana in which attendees have used 'micro:bit' to solve two challenges. "The two challenges have led to the discovery of an evil professor who is transmitting secrets via radio to the secret services of an imaginary foreign kingdom," explains Pedro de las Heras, professor in the Department of Signal Theory and Communications at ETSIT.
On the other hand, the Móstoles Campus Library has also organized practical activities. Among them, a workshop has been offered to show attendees how, based on computer tools, it is possible to navigate by means of the stars and recognize the constellations and the planets.
In addition, different activities have also been offered for the little ones with the aim of bringing them closer to the figure of the researcher. Among the different proposals, they have been able to learn what the digestive tract is and what it is for. “The digestive tract is essential for a healthy and happy life. In this workshop we teach children in a playful way its structure, its essential functions, how to study it and its main pathologies”, says Raquel Abalo, professor in the area of Pharmacology and Nutrition and Bromatology of the Faculty of Health Sciences.
An annual appointment with science
La XVIII Week of Science and Innovation in Madrid, held in 49 locations in Madrid between November 5 and 18, is coordinated by the Foundation for Knowledge madri+d, dependent on the General Directorate of Universities and Research of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Community of Madrid. The main objectives of this annual event are to bring science and technology closer to citizens and promote scientific vocations
At the URJC, the event is coordinated by the Vice President for Research, through the Unit for Scientific Culture and Innovation (UCC+i), and in this edition it has had the collaboration of the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), dependent on the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. The activities held have been carried out on the five university campuses (Alcorcón, Aranjuez, Fuenlabrada, Móstoles and in the district of Vicálvaro) and locations in Madrid, being one of the institutions with the most widely distributed offer. The arrangement of its schools and faculties has made it possible for the public to attend from different regions of Madrid and the neighboring provinces.
In total, this event has had the participation of more than 600 institutions of the Community of Madrid with an offer that has exceeded 1.000 free activities and for all audiences, involving nearly 3.000 scientists.
