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The event “Research goes to school” showcased the research carried out by 13 educational centres with the guidance of various research institutions.
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The initiative, promoted by the Magnet programme within the framework of the European project #NitRecerCat, encourages critical thinking, curiosity and knowledge of the scientific method.
Students from Mas Falcó School presenting their research project during the Magnet event “Research goes to school”
“Are there microorganisms outside the school?”
This is the question that inspired the research presented by 6th grade students from Mas Falcó School in Barcelona during the science-education event “Research goes to school”.
The research continued a project launched in the previous academic year, with the support of the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC) through its Magnet partnership, in which students carried out sampling activities in different areas of the school to analyse the presence of microorganisms.
For this new research project, the students planned, with guidance from IDAEA-CSIC researchers Natalia Moreno and Inés González, a sample collection campaign in everyday locations around the Vallcarca neighbourhood, such as the metro, the playground and the streets surrounding the school. Through the use of culture media and subsequent analysis, they rigorously learned that microorganisms are essential for life and can be found everywhere, although hygiene and prevention measures are necessary to avoid disease.
Together with Mas Falcó, twelve other Magnet educational centres and more than seventy students took part in the event held on 28 April at the Hub Social in Barcelona.
Students from each school presented an oral communication of their research projects and a scientific poster, just as scientists do in professional research environments, explaining the research process, the interpretation of data and the conclusions obtained. As research professionals explain, all research should ultimately be communicated to society.
In total, 14 research projects on current and diverse topics were presented, all arising from the students’ genuine curiosity and transformed into scientific investigations. Each presentation explained the research question posed, how the investigation process was developed, the interpretation of the data and the conclusions reached. In addition, as a result of the learning process, the groups made a call to action expressing how to generate positive change within their community and improve their immediate surroundings.
The research projects were developed by applying the scientific method and with the support of teams of scientists and researchers from research centres partnered with the Magnet alliances, as well as several Catalan institutions and universities that are part of the consortium participating in the European project #NitRecercat2425.
The event provided a space to celebrate and recognise the learning achievements of children and young people, as well as the commitment of teachers, trainers and partners involved in the Magnet alliances. The projects demonstrate how children’s curiosity is a driving force for learning and discovering the world around us and how applying the scientific method fosters critical thinking among children and young people.
As a practical closing activity, all students participated in a maker workshop where they built devices using recycled materials to safely observe the solar eclipse taking place next August.
Read the full article on the Magnet website.
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