Investing in “literacy, art and science” has been the work of the Centro Ciência Viva (CCV) in the Algarve, in Faro, which this Saturday, August 3rd, turns 27 years old.
Having contributed to science education in the Algarve for almost three decades, this, which was the first CCV to be created across the country, celebrates another important date with the presentation of a new exhibition, entitled «Literacy, Art and Ocean".
«The objective is to make current issues known to the population and, therefore, we talk about ocean literacy and scientific literacy in general. This example highlights the problems that currently exist, such as plastic. There are many people who already know the subject, but there are some things that are still being studied, namely those to do with the degradation of plastic, which causes a lot of it to end up in our food", says Cristina Veiga-Pires, executive director of CCV do Algarve since 2015, at the Sul Informação.
This exhibition, coordinated by a master's student from the University of Algarve, together with students from some schools, can be visited for free this Saturday and by purchasing a ticket during the center's usual opening hours on the remaining days.
But the exhibition is just one of the attractions at CCV de Faro, which, this year, even developed a new project – Escola Ciência-Viva.
«Our main audience is younger people, although we would love to reach other age groups as well. But the youngest are an audience that we have worked a lot on. We have a space in which, for a week, we receive a class that comes to school here at the center and takes the opportunity to develop activities and knowledge», explains the person in charge.
According to Cristina Veiga-Pires, the youngest are the ones who are most alert to environmental and sea issues, «because teachers at school also work on this». However, in her opinion, «it is necessary to continue this work throughout their lives – in the first, second cycle and secondary school – so that they never forget it».
With her eyes set on the future, the executive director also highlights that one of CCV Algarve's objectives is to «continue to invest in accessibility, inclusion and sustainability», and, to this end, specific changes were made.
«In our garden, for example, we had a place with water and we removed the water because we always had to replenish it due to evaporation. We will also begin to collaborate with the Gema Salt Mine, in Loulé, which will provide salt water for our laboratories. In the greenhouse, we are making our own microalgae for food and we have restructured the plastics station, which is ready to receive people to make their shapes», explains the director.
As had already been announced on the 26th anniversary, The new observatory “A Casa” is also underway, which will be “open to scientific culture, the environment, sustainability and arts”.
The equipment will have «a multipurpose room, a laboratory, a staircase, which will not only be the access, but also an open, outdoor amphitheater, to be able to enjoy our estuary and develop other types of cultural activities».
«CCDR financing is now coming out and we are still negotiating with some entities to have all the green lights. By December, we hope to have everything ready to move forward, being built is a goal for 2025», he concludes.
CCV Algarve is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 am to 13:00 pm and from 14:00 pm to 18:00 pm.
This Saturday, due to the anniversary, entry is free, and activities begin at 10 am, with the opening of the exhibition.
This is followed by the blowing of the candles and the Planetarium sessions (10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 14:30 pm and 16:00 pm) and the Science Shows (11:00 am and 15:00 pm). But there will also be activities in the greenhouse, recycling station, laboratory and much more.
The mission of Live Science Centers is to promote scientific culture and innovation, assuming experimentation, connection to practice and collaboration between scientific, cultural and local communities, valuing the surrounding territory with the provision of education, science, technology and creativity services.
Ciência Viva was established, from the beginning, as an open program that promoted alliances between different sectors of Portuguese society, from universities to primary schools, from companies to research laboratories, from local authorities to private associations and professional organizations. .
Aiming to improve and reinforce the work of the Centros Ciência Viva (CCV) and pursuing the objective of accelerating the digital transition and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the education and training system, the CRESC Algarve2020 Regional Program supported the production of digital teaching resources (RDD) for students, teachers and trainers in the region through the three centers currently existing in the Algarve (Faro, Lagos and Tavira), in an extended partnership with the University of Algarve, Institute of Employment and Professional Training and Tourism of Portugal, the latter targeting their respective students/trainees.
Likewise, the European Funds managed in the region were decisive in the implementation of larger projects involving CCVs and local communities, particularly in the areas of sustainable tourism and the preservation and enhancement of historical and natural heritage, and for the creation and promotion of seventeen Live Science Clubs in groups and schools in the Algarve, promoting Science literacy.
Photos: Beatriz Bento | Sul Informação
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