HR4RS stamp
Irene Vega
The program of activities for the fourteenth European Night of Researchers in Madrid will revolve around one of the missions set by the European Union for 2030: “A soil pact for Europe”. This year the host at the URJC will be the Higher School of Experimental Sciences and Technology (ESCET) and the motto of the event is “Let's take care of our soils for food security and climate change.” In this sense, different lines of research will be shown based on the study of the current situation of soils, from the fields of Geology, Biology, Hydrology or Environmental Geochemistry. Its relationship with food security and the urgent need for sustainable soil management in the fight against climate change will also be addressed.
From 10:00 in the morning, visits will be made to the laboratories and pilot plants of the Technological Support Center and from 17:00 you will be able to participate in workshops and dynamic activities that will show different lines of research that are being developed by the ESCET scientific community. The official opening will be at 16:00 p.m. in front of the Aulario II of the Móstoles Campus and will feature a performance by the Duo Sante of guitar and flute.
The scheduled activities have limited places and will require prior registration. Reservations can be made through the Events website of the URJC.
Soil conservation to guarantee the future of the planet
Most of the activities will be aimed at a general public - including children and their families, as well as secondary school, high school and university students - and will consist of workshops, experiments and demonstrations in the laboratory.
From the field of biology, it will be demonstrated how drought reduces the ability of seeds to germinate and how it can affect primary production systems in natural and rural ecosystems. In addition, it will be observed how the soil “is alive” by exploring its fauna both with the naked eye and under a microscope.
In relation to the current climate change scenario, the role of the Water Cycle will also be highlighted and its “journey” through the soil will be followed, in the process called infiltration, seeing what factors condition it and the importance to keep soils healthy. To ensure its conservation, specifically, another activity is planned on the need to properly separate waste and the implementation of a production and consumption model based on a Circular Economy.
Finally, activities based on soil care will be organized to ensure food. These proposals include a “tabletop” escape room, puzzles and riddles with mime, crossword puzzles, word searches and food tastings for sensory differentiation. Special attention will be paid to millet, since 2023 is its International Year and because it is a cereal in which food alerts appear due to cross-contamination with weeds.
European project for scientific dissemination
La European Researchers' Night is part of the consortium MADRID NIGHT and aims to promote scientific culture in society in general and promote scientific-technological vocations among young people. Traditionally, this event is celebrated on the last Friday of September in more than 300 European cities simultaneously.
The Rey Juan Carlos University is a partner of MADRIDNIGHT, coordinated by the madri+d Foundation and financed by the European Union within the Horizon Europe Program, under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (with grant agreement no. 101061343).
The organization of activities at the URJC is coordinated by the ESCET and the Scientific Culture and Innovation Unit (UCC+I), dependent on the Vice-Rectorate for Research, Innovation and Transfer of the URJC.
In addition, the activities of the UCC+I also have the collaboration of the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) – Ministry of Science and Innovation, through the Call for aid to promote scientific, technological and innovation culture 2022.
Useful information
Activity title: Let's take care of our soils for food security and climate change
Venue: Higher School of Experimental Sciences and Technology (ESCET), Móstoles Campus of the URJC, C/Tulipán S/N, CP 28933 Móstoles, Madrid
Schedules: from 10:00 a.m. to 21:00 p.m.. (official opening, from 16:00 p.m.)
Reservation required: Yes, since September 11, 2023
