Once again, IMDEA Water is taking part in the 17th edition of the European Researchers’ Night Madrid with an open day designed to demonstrate how science contributes to protecting the environment, improving water quality, and advancing towards a more sustainable future.

The activities, which are free of charge and open to all audiences, will take place at IMDEA Water’s facilities on the University of Alcalá campus. Through experiments, demonstrations, and games, visitors of all ages will discover first-hand how nature inspires innovative solutions to water challenges. Activities will showcase, among other topics, the role of electroactive bacteria in wastewater treatment and reuse, as well as membrane technologies used to remove pollutants and produce higher-quality water. Participants will also explore the hidden life of aquatic ecosystems and learn how contaminants generated by human activity affect biodiversity and the connections between water and terrestrial environments.

The programme will also include hands-on activities to analyse water and soil quality and understand their importance for sustainable food production, as well as interactive games encouraging reflection on groundwater management and responsible water use. Attendees will have the opportunity to become environmental detectives, identifying contaminants present in water, discovering how microplastics are detected in samples from marine environments, and exploring the world of genetics through environmental DNA extraction, a key tool for studying biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems. This workshop, offered in two 45-minute sessions at 18:30 and 20:00, requires prior registration.

• Registration for the workshop El misterio del ADN acuático

At the same time, IMDEA Water will also take part in La ciencia ante los desastres naturales, a panel discussion in which researchers from all IMDEA Institutes will explain how science helps mitigate or prevent these catastrophic situations. The event will take place at the Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid at 6:00 p.m., and admission is free with prior registration.

• Registration for the panel discussion La ciencia ante los desastres naturales

General information:

The European Researchers’ Night Madrid is a project that supports research careers and is celebrated in more than 460 European cities. In Madrid, it is promoted by the Regional Ministry of Education, Science and Universities and coordinated by the madri+d Foundation.