Barcelona

Today, at an event at the Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria, nearly 200 students from 20 schools took part in a morning session to present the research projects that have formed part of the Citizen Science in Schools Open in a new window programme and shared the results of their experience during the 2023-2024 academic year. As part of the 17th edition of the Science Festival Open in a new window, the day allowed primary and secondary school students to present the conclusions of their work, together with teachers and representatives of the projects’ scientific teams. 

Citizen science in schools is a programme that aims to raise awareness among teachers and students of the importance of taking an active and critical approach to socio-environmental challenges and, as a result, to be able to undertake outreach and awareness-raising actions in their immediate environment. The programme is coordinated by the Barcelona Citizen Science Office, which is led by Barcelona City Council’s Science and Universities Department, and the Barcelona Education Consortium. Over a three-month period, it includes training in the scientific method of sampling, the use of mobile and web applications for data collection and, finally, the analysis and communication of results.

The projects of this edition and the schools that have participated are the following:

• Sea Observers Open in a new window. Flos i Calcat Institute, Martí Pous Institute and XXV Olympiad Institute.
• Sound Map of Barcelona Open in a new window. Caterina Albert Institute, Bernat Metge Institute and Audiovisual Media Institute.
• Riunet. Open in a new window Concepción Arenal School, Fort Pius Institute and Doctor Puigvert Institute.
• Planta*tes Open in a new window. Mirades School Institute and Coves d’en Cimany School Institute.
• Floodup Open in a new window. Vapor del Fil Institute, La Guineueta Institute and Josep Serrat i Bonastre Institute.
• RitmeNatura Open in a new window. La Farigola de Vallcarca School and La Sagrera Sant Andreu Secondary School.
• Mosquito Alert Open in a new window. Narcís Monturiol Secondary School and Maria Espinalt Secondary School.
• OdourCollect Open in a new window. Aldana School and Infanta Isabel d’Aragó Secondary School.

Over the course of seven editions, the programme has reached 111 schools and 3,300 students who have worked on nine different research projects, consolidating citizen science as a multidisciplinary educational tool.

More citizen science at the 17th Science Festival

The day for schools kicks off the 17th edition of the festival, which over the weekend has programmed more than 150 activities that combine knowledge, research and fun around the Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria and the Plaça Comercial. The sea, archaeology, artificial intelligence and climate change will play a leading role in a festival that will also reach the facilities of the city’s new scientific hub, the Ciutadella Knowledge Hub, such as the Greenhouse and the Martorell Exhibition Centre.