UNED brings ocean workshops to sixth-year primary pupils at El Acequión and Ciudad del Mar

Sixth-year primary pupils at Torrevieja’s El Acequión and Ciudad del Mar schools have taken part in workshops on photosynthesis, ocean pollution and the greenhouse effect promoted by the Aula UNED Torrevieja and Fundación René Quinton.

The activities formed part of La UNED va a la escuela, a programme bringing educational outreach into classrooms through explanations and practical experiences using simple materials.

Two school visits in October

All three sixth-year classes at CEIP El Acequión took part on Wednesday 21 October, followed on Wednesday 28 October by the three classes in the same year group at CEIP Ciudad del Mar.

The collaboration comes under the agreement signed by the Aula UNED Torrevieja and Fundación René Quinton in September, which includes visits to schools to encourage knowledge of the sea and care for it.

Gema Lillo, the foundation’s manager and also a volunteer, took part in the sessions, which included a presentation on the formation of the Earth and the oceans before the practical activities began.

Plants, water and everyday materials

One workshop used aquatic plants submerged in water containing bicarbonate beneath a lamp, allowing pupils to observe the process of photosynthesis through an experiment in their classroom.

Another activity compared containers of clean water and water mixed with used oil, adding food colouring to explore the subject of marine pollution visually.

The third exercise used glasses, bicarbonate, vinegar and temperature measurements as part of the workshop devoted to the greenhouse effect.

Pupils received wristbands recognising their participation as Guardians of the Blue Planet, and the initiative also included keyrings as symbols of their environmental care challenges.

Jesucristo Riquelme, coordinator of the Aula UNED Torrevieja, highlighted pupils’ interest in handling materials, mixing substances and observing the results of practical activities compared with listening to an exclusively theoretical explanation.

Riquelme and Lillo welcomed the response to the workshops and are already considering further dates and venues to continue this educational outreach work in the city’s schools.