The Algarve will once again celebrate the European Researchers' Night tomorrow, Friday, with a program that crosses the region, but which will have its “operational base” at the Ria Shopping, in Olhão. In this event, which takes place simultaneously in more than 200 cities in 30 European countries, you can get to know better what a researcher does, experience what it means to be a scientist and even help an engineer to build a bridge. All completely free of charge.
The Algarve Live Science Centers also joined the event, with the one from Tavira heading to Ria Shopping and the ones from Faro and Lagos offering its own programming in the respective buildings, from the end of the afternoon. In Olhão, the program starts at 10 am, with various activities offered by the many exhibitors presentSuch as Sul Informação released it first hand. These activities are called “hands on”, as they give visitors the opportunity to take on the role of researcher or participate in scientific experiments.
During the 12 hours that the event lasts, there will be several activities with a more playful character, many of them linked to the theme of the initiative in 2012 «Science and Sport». Cinema, theater, sports demonstrations, social gatherings, conversations with researchers and even a basic Civil Engineering class are part of this program.
At 14:30 pm, the documentary "Atlantic KIMERAA: When Science and Tradition come Together" will be presented, produced as part of the European Cooperation project KIMERAA and "which focuses on some economic activities related to the Sea and its connection with Science", according to o CRIA-Division of Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer of the University of Algarve, which coordinates the event at a regional level.
Between 15 pm and 22 pm, anyone can understand the science behind the design of bridges, using a material that will exist in almost every house, spaghetti. Professors and students from the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Algarve will stimulate the visitors' creativity and spirit of investigation «from the search for more effective solutions in terms of mechanical behavior».
At 16 pm, another activity begins where balance is essential, a fencing demonstration by the João da Rosa School Fencing Group. A sport that allows “increasing strength, balance, body skills and motor coordination” of those who practice it. After the demonstration, visitors are invited to try this sport. Also in the field of physical activity, there will be a demonstration of the Japanese martial art Ninjutsu, which dates back to the time of the samurai, from 18:30, by the Portuguese Association Ninpon Taijutsu.
Before this demonstration of the martial art, space will be opened for dialogue, in this case between visitors and some researchers present. The «Speed-Dating with Scientists» initiative consists of 5-minute conversations, during which the researcher answers the visitor's questions, to make known what he/she does on a daily basis. Five minutes that are well counted and marked by the ringing of a gong, which prompts people to move on to a new investigator.
At 19 pm, a reflection on this year's theme of the European Researchers' Night will be opened at the conference “Science and Sport”. «Knowing how science relates to sport and understanding, through some personalities in the area of sport and science, how science contributes to increasing their performance are some of the questions that will be answered in this gathering», according to CRIA.
To close the program of the Investigators' Night, which in Olhão turned into a day of tribute to those who dedicate their lives to the search for knowledge, the organization of the initiative reserved the children's play “Não és Criança”, by the UAlg Sin Theater Group -wax. A comedy that results from a collective creation and whose staging is also the responsibility of the elements of the University Theater Group. The show is performed by Ângela Lourenço, Bruno Pádua, Fernanda Faleiro, Luísa Meireles, Nuno Jorge, Severine Guerreiro and Tânia Guedelha. Directing actors is the responsibility of Luísa Meireles and lighting by Manuel Alão.
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