The main objective of this initiative is to make both, science and the cutting edge tecnology known and promote the scientific vocations.
The Superior Board for the Scientific Research (CSIC), the Obra Social "la Caixa" and the Calvià Town Hall have started in the municipality 'Ciudad Ciencia', a scientific dissemination project which main aim is to give the residents of areas located far away from the big cities first-hand information of the current science and technology.
The CSIC's institutional coordinator in the Balearics, Joaquín Tintoré, the director of the Area of Business Ponent of "la Caixa", José Manuel Arteaga and the Calvià Town Hall's Deputy Mayor for New Tecnologies and Education, Esperanza Catalá, have presented this Monday the project to the residents of the Majorcan municipality.
Ciudad Ciencia puts at disposal of the cities joining this project, activities of scientific dissemination in multiple formats (exhibitions, conferences, visits to research centres, etc.) which are incorporated in each municipality's cultural programme, as well as online workshops for the participation of the citizens created by researchers of the CSIC. The workshops cover various themes and allow the citizens to ellaborate a map of the plants and the geology of their city or create a vegetable garden where able to learn sustainable agriculture concepts through the scientific method.
"We try to generate an environment of dialogue with the scientific community where to debate, have information, participate and enjoy learning about science and technology as from the interests and the existing resources of each locality", explains Joaquín Tintoré. On his behalf, José Manuel Arteaga recalls that "to approach the science to the society is one of the priorities of the Obra Social "la Caixa" and the collaboration with the CSIC allows to reinforce the objectives of both institutions". In this same line, the Deputy Mayor for Education appreciates the cooperation "amongst three institutions, thus making the researchers and their important work carried out known in the local sphere", highlights Esperanza Catalá.
From its beginning on 7th April, the residents of the locality will be able to participate in different activities through the Ciudad Ciencia. The project will start with a conference carried out by Damià Gomis, researcher of the Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados (CSIC-UIB). With the title ‘El mar Mediterráneo del siglo XXI', the talk will be held on 13th May at Can Verger (85 Major St.) at 7.30p.m.. Gomis will talk about the climate change and will explain important details about the changes that will take place in the sea waters surrounding the Balearics. The last studies show that in year 2100 the temperature of its waters will increase between 2 and 3,5ºC with regards to the current temperature and that the level of the water will increase between 50 and 80cm with regards to today. According to the researcher " to know these changes and be able to overtake within its appearance is essential to start-up adaptation strategies towards the climate change".
All those people willing to participate in the workshops and have further information about the different activities can consult the web www.ciudadciencia.es.
Apart from Calvià, other municipalities such as Mahón (Menorca), Sant Josep (Ibiza), Cangas do Morrazo (Pontevedra), Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura), Gáldar (Tenerife), Alhama de Murcia (Murcia), Baena (Córdoba), Barbastro (Huesca), Calahorra (La Rioja), Calatayud (Zaragoza), Cangas del Narcea (Asturias), Castro Urdiales (Cantabria), Coria (Cáceres), Mancomunidad de les Valls (Valencia), Mejorada del Campo (Madrid), Miranda de Ebro (Burgos), Mota del Cuervo (Cuenca), Plasencia (Cáceres), Tàrrega (Lleida), Tudela (Navarra), Valdepeñas (Ciudad Real), Villanueva de la Serena (Badajoz), Villena (Alicante) and Vila-seca (Tarragona) have joined Ciudad Ciencia. Throughout the 2013-2014 course, the initiative will continue increasing with the incorporation of new localities.