Project "Exploratori": a bridge between nature, science and society
Dec 10, 2024
"Exploratori dels Recursos de la Natura" (Exploration of Nature Resources) is a project of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in conjunction with the Berga City Council whose objective is to promote the scientific technological vocation, improve learning in secondary and higher education using as an axis a sustainable approach to nature's resources.
Nature: an open laboratory to investigate with its resources!
The Exploratori dels Recursos de la Natura is a territorial project of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunyaand the City Council of Berga, which aims to promote the scientific-technical vocation, bringing science and technology closer to society in general, through learning experiences linked to the resources offered by nature.
The Exploratori is part of the UPC's Research Group for Sustainability Science and Technology Research(CITES), and its main objective is to scientifically literacy both teachers and secondary school students. Likewise, it seeks to narrow the gap between the supply and demand of professionals in the scientific-technological field, revitalizing a territory rich in natural resources and decentralizing knowledge towards less urbanized areas.
An open laboratory to society
The project intends to bring science and technique closer to society in general, through various educational initiatives, such as the EXPLORA Courses which combine theoretical classes with field trips to carry out experiments and learn about research projects linked to natural resources in different formats.
Fostering science and innovation among young people
One of the important axes is the Knowledge Fair, an event that presents projects from the UPC and other research centres, related to science and technology, to demonstrate that science is within everyone's reach. Another important event is the Forum of Young Talents of Catalonia, a forum that seeks to encourage science and technology among young people in Secondary, through a recognition of the best pre-university students in Catalonia.
Educational projects and innovative teaching resources
The Exploratori also makes available to students and teachers didactic resources, related to science and sustainability, to complement classroom activities. The project is a benchmark in scientific and technological education, promoting a more sustainable and innovative future for young people and society in general.
Notable projects:
The European Night of Research in Berga is an annual event that brings science and innovation closer to the public of all ages in an enjoyable and accessible way. On September 27, 2024, in the Cloister of Sant Francesc and other spaces in Berga, workshops, conferences and interactive activities were offered to promote interest in scientific research.
The Forum of Young Talents of Catalonia 2024, held in Berga from June 26 to 29, gathered young people to discuss climate change in areas such as air, water, food, waste and the society The event included presentations by experts, debate sessions and visits to the Cercs Mines Museum and the La Baells reservoir.
The 31st edition of the Catalan Summer University of Nature (UCEN), held in Berga from 8 to 17 July 2024, offered courses on the perception of the senses in nature, the bowels of the Earth and water needs. These courses, taught by UPC professors and other experts, combined theoretical classes with field trips in the natural environment of Berguedà.
This project analyzes the interdependence between energy consumption for drinking water and water consumption in energy generation, especially hydroelectric energy. This initiative allows us to evaluate the kilowatt hours needed to produce one cubic meter of water and the cubic meters of water required to generate one kilowatt hour of energy, adapting the data to each municipality.
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