A sustainable future designed by the youngest

The URJC held the 16nd Environmental Education Project Competition with the participation of XNUMX schools that exhibited their projects on the Móstoles Campus. Due to the high quality of the submitted projects, three secondary schools were awarded first prize.

Editorial/ Alba Junquera

This second edition featured 18 environmental projects, 11 in poster format and 7 in video format. They were created by 69 students and 16 teachers from 16 schools in the Community of Madrid. The event was held on the morning of Thursday, May 29, at the URJC Móstoles Campus.

The objective of the activity is twofold. On the one hand, it aims to motivate environmental development and sustainability in society and, on the other, to increase environmental awareness among adolescents and young people, as well as their involvement in sustainable activities in their surroundings. Furthermore, this competition raises awareness of the URJC's Environmental Sciences degree programs and demonstrates the social impact of its content.

“Environmental scientists play a key role in protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development thanks to their multidisciplinary university training, which allows them to approach environmental problems from a global and interconnected perspective,” notes Silvia Martín Velázquez, professor of the Environmental Sciences degree program and co-organizer of the competition. The work of these experts spans multiple fields of knowledge and has a direct impact on the well-being of society. “Therefore, it is essential to strengthen the recognition of this profession and foster environmental vocations among new generations,” emphasizes Inmaculada Suárez Muñoz, coordinator of the degree program and co-organizer of the competition.

Due to the high quality of the submitted projects, the first prize in the poster category was awarded to two secondary schools, Carpe Diem (Fuenlabrada) and Jorge Guillén (Alcorcón), for their respective projects "Sustainability in the Textile Industry" and "Exploring Las Presillas Park: Biodiversity and Sustainability." In the video format, the first prize went to IES La Senda (Getafe) for its proposal "The Ecopath."

The projects “Noise in our Institute” from the IES Conde de Orgaz (Madrid), “Let’s Make SanNi a Little Greener!” from the IES San Nicasio (Leganés), and “Vertical Gardens for Plastic Recycling and Thermal Insulation” from the IES Rayuela (Móstoles) received mentions in “Environmental Research,” “Reducing the Environmental Footprint,” and “Environmental Awareness and Sensitization,” respectively.

This activity is organized by the Environmental Sciences degree program and promoted by the Vice-Rector's Office for Campus Community, Culture, and Sports, together with the School of Experimental Sciences and Technology (ESCET). It also has the collaboration of the Scientific Culture and Innovation Unit (UCC+I) and the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) of the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities. As a prize, ESCET offers the winners the opportunity to enjoy "A Day as an Environmentalist," which consists of a visit to the school's laboratories.

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