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From left to right: Helena González (Big Van Ciencia), Bernardo Kanahuati (Bayer), Higinio Flores (SAS), Luis Pérez (PCT Cartuja), Anna Serra (PCB) and Oriol Marimon (Big Van Ciencia). Photo: Bayer
 24.05.2019

Bayer, Big Van Ciencia and the Barcelona Science Park launch the ‘Cuestión de ciencia’ project

BayerBig Van Ciencia an the Barcelona Science Park  (PCB) haved launched “Cuestión de ciencia: ¿te atreves a desafiar el futuro?” (“A Question of Science: Do You Dare to Challenge the Future?” ), an initiative that will be developed in the form of scientific monologues tour that challenges high school students to respond to some of the biggest global challenges in health and nutrition, with the aim of helping to awaken a scientific vocation among young people. Project coordinators will organize activities in Sevilla, Alcalá de Henares, Guadalajara and Barcelona in the next few months. From October 14 to 17, the meetings will be at the PCB, whit more than 1,000 students. The project award ceremony honouring the winners will take place in Barcelona.

 

“How to feed a growing population?” and “How to contribute to the health of a population with a longer life expectancy?” are some of the questions that young people will have to answer in the initiative “Cuestión de ciencia”, which is held this year to commemorate the 120th anniversary of Bayer in Spain.

Convinced that the new generations have much to say about the future, Bayer has partnered with the Barcelona Science Park and Big Van Ciencia in this new initiative. The collaboration of these three entities, which in different ways work to promote the dissemination of science and its approach to society, has been a key element in the implementation of this project. The participation of the PCB has favoured collaboration with other science parks, such as the Cartuja Science and Technology Park (STP Cartuja) in Sevilla (Andalusia), which yesterday hosted the official launch of the project.

The presentation ceremony was attended by  Bernardo Kanahuati, president and CEO at Bayer Iberia (Spain and Portugal); Higinio Flores, deputy director of Primary Care of the Andalusian Health Service (SAS); Luis Pérez, general director of the STP Cartuja; Anna Serra, Commercialization and Communication director of the PCB; and Helena González and Oriol Marimon, representing Big Van Ciencia.

“We are sure that the initiative to inspire the critical spirit among youngsters will contribute to the construction of a better society. Investing in education and science is always good news and allows us to prepare better, as a society, for the future. We count on you to build tomorrow”, said Bernardo Kanahuati.

For his part, the general director of PCT Cartuja, Luis Pérez, highlighted the role of science and technology parks as drivers of the connection between companies and research centres. “A society only advances through science and society must know the essential role of science in its future. Hence the enormous importance of the dissemination of scientific activities among our young people”, said Luis Pérez.

The “Cuestión de ciencia” initiative will be developed in the form of monologues, directed by Big Van Ciencia, to facilitate creativity and relaxation. “To excite the students not only through humour, but also with the values associated with science, without losing sight of the social challenges it faces is key to bringing science closer to young people”, said Big Van Ciencia’s president Oriol Marimon.

An allocation of 20,000 euros to reward the best monologues

Bayer has wanted to endow this initiative with 20,000 euros in prizes, which will be used to improve the scientific facilities of the educational centres of the winners. These awards will also be completed with individual awards for young people participating in the final.

The jury will select three monologues from each of the schools that they visit, and three others that have been submitted freely. The 12 finalists will receive 1,000 euros for scientific material in their schools and additionally, the three winners will be awarded 3,000 euros (1st prize), 2,500 euros (2nd prize) and 1,500 euros (3rd prize).

The project will visit  Alcalá de Henares, Guadalajara and Barcelona in the coming months and will return to Sevilla to encourage high school students to participate in the initiative. The participants in other parts of Spain who want to participate may do so through their educational centres presenting a candidacy from next October, coinciding with the school year for the evaluation of the members of the jury.