Under the theme “Science for Sustainable Development,” the 4th La Rioja Science and Innovation Week is celebrated from November 10 to 24, sponsored by the Government of La Rioja and the University of La Rioja. Javier García, winner of the 2023 National Research Award and Honorary Doctorate from the University of Uruguay, is participating in a broad program of activities including conferences, congresses, workshops, competitions and performances for all audiences. The full schedule can be viewed on the website www.ciencialarioja.es
This initiative aims to bring science closer to the Rioja community, especially the younger ones, through fun and educational activities that encourage a critical spirit and citizen participation.
It is coordinated by researchers from the University of La Rioja Victor Lanchares and Beatriz Robredo and in collaboration with the municipalities of Logroño and Arubal, the Royal Spanish Society of Chemistry (RSEQ) and the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT). – Ministry of Science and Innovation.
«In this edition – says Eduardo Fonseca, Vice-Rector for Research and Internationalization at the University of La Rioja – we focused on the contributions of science to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, starting from the closest (neighborhood, local products, vineyards, citizen participation, etc.) to contribute to the world. More sustainable and support positive social transformation.
For his part, Deputy Minister of Education, Miguel Angel Fernandez Torroba, stressed the importance of this type of initiative that enhances interest in science and critical thinking and encourages scientific careers among young people. Moreover, he realized that science is an essential tool that allows us to better understand the world around us.
Think globally..
Among the highlights of this fourth Science and Innovation Week in La Rioja are the two meetings led by Javier García, current President of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC).
The first, at IES La Laboral, on November 16 at 12 noon, with secondary and baccalaureate students, in an event entitled “From La Rioja to the world: meeting with Javier García”.
The researcher and businessman from Rioja will share with students his career path, from his hometown – Villamediana de Iregua – to the presidency of one of the largest scientific unions in the world. A path guided by the conviction that “science is an essential tool to address the major challenges facing humanity, such as diseases, climate change, combating inequality or other sustainable development goals.”
The second meeting, entitled “Frontiers of Science,” will be held on November 17 at 12 noon, in the Aula Magna of the Quintiliano Building of the University of Uruguay. On the same day, the inauguration ceremony of the honorary doctor will include some prominent scholars who will attend. Among them are Nazario Martin, winner of the 2020 National Research Prize and one of the most cited Spanish scientists in scientific publications; Javier Martínez Muguerza, Secretary of the Spanish Youth Academy, and Juana Frontilla, Director of the CEPSA Research Centre.
This global vision of the challenges facing sustainable development will also focus on the conference of José Esquinas, agronomist and doctor of genetics, who served the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations for thirty years. The conference is titled “Hunger and Malnutrition in the 21st Century.” The Role of Science and Conscience in Solving It” will be celebrated on November 10, coinciding with the World Day of Science for Peace and Development. It will be held at 7 p.m., at the Caja Rioja Gran Vía Center, with free entry until capacity is reached.
…act locally
The Citizen Science and Environmental Education Initiative will occupy “Live in the Neighborhood” on the morning of Monday, November 13. It consists of creating and placing bird nests at various locations within the campus and subsequently monitoring them. University students and schoolchildren from CEIP Madre de Dios and Caballero de la Rosa and volunteers from various associations and groups in the region will participate in this activity, under the guidance of the Oxígeno Foundation.
On Tuesday, November 14, at 1 p.m., CCT’s Degree Hall will host the “Don’t Eat the Planet” food and sustainable development conference. It will begin by presenting the educational platform of the same name, coordinated by researchers from the University of La Rioja, which provides teachers with various resources on food, health and climate change.
The conference will continue with the conference “Eat local, think global: local products as allies of our health and environment”, presented by Alfonso Lacuesta, environmental consultant.
With wit and good humour
The university’s scientific publishing groups Vaya Primos and Vaya Elementos will implement “I am too a scientist” workshops, with chemistry experiments for children and young people, as well as games and mathematical challenges to solve as a family. It will be held on November 10, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., at the House of Science in Logroño (registration at www.inscriptionscasadelasciencias.es) and on November 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Arupal City Hall (free admission).
On November 22, at 7 p.m., “Scientific Monologues” is scheduled to be performed by the Big Van Ciencia group. A show for all audiences “packed with the latest science and the smartest humor.” It will be held in the Aula Magna of the Quintiliano Building at UR, with free admission when booked at www.ciencialarioja.es
This program is joined by activities offered by the Institute of Vine and Wine Sciences (ICVV): three workshops on vineyard sustainability and obtaining new foods from wine by-products. They will be held on November 14, 15, 17 and 24 in different locations (ICVV, Finca Valdegón, Casa de las Ciencias and IES Duques de Nájera). Register at [email protected]
The week will conclude with the launch of the fourth “Experiment at Home” competition, targeting educational centers in La Rioja and the general public. This initiative, which has achieved great success in previous editions, suggests conducting a simple experiment at home or in the classroom and explaining it in a video no longer than two minutes long. The full rules and registration form will be available from December 4 on the website www.ciencialarioja.es.
The 4th La Rioja Science and Innovation Week is part of the La Rioja Science Programme, promoted by the Government of La Rioja and the University of La Rioja, in collaboration with the La Rioja City Council and with the support of the La Rioja Scientific Culture Unit. UR and the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) – Ministry of Science and Innovation.
The Fourth Science and Innovation Program Week
Friday 10 November
From 5 to 7:30 p.m
House of Science in Logroño
“I Am Too Scientist” Workshops
19 hours
Caja Rioja Gran Via Foundation Center
José Esquinas Conference: “Hunger and malnutrition in the 21st century.” The role of science and awareness in solving it.”
Free admission
Monday 13 November
From 10 am to 2 pm
Campus
Nesting in a neighborhood workshop
Students, associations and cooperative groups
Tuesday 14 November
From 1 pm to 2 pm
“Don’t Eat the Planet” Conference
CCT degree room
Free admission
12:00
ICVV Workshop: Is there life outside wine?
IES Dukes of Najera
Students of the first baccalaureate IES Duques de Nájera
Wednesday 15 November
From 11 am to 1 pm
ICVV Workshop: Biological Control Agents
ICVV administration building
Registration: [email protected]
Thursday 16 November
From 12 to 1:30 pm
“From La Rioja to the world: an encounter with Javier García”
IES La Laborale
Secondary education students
Friday 17 November
From 12 to 1:30 pm
Frontiers of science
I. Magna del Quintiliano
Free admission
From 11 am to 1 pm
ICVV Workshop: Vineyard Sustainability Strategies
Valdijon real estate
Sunday 19 November
11:30 am.
“I Am Too Scientist” Workshops
Arupal City Hall
Children from 5 to 12 years
Wednesday 22 November
7 pm
“Scientific Monologue”
I. Magna del Quintiliano
Book tickets at Ciencialarioja.es
Friday 24 November
11 am
ICVV Workshop: Novel foods with wine by-products
House of Science
