Activities addressed to students

As a demonstration of IMDEA Water´s commitment to scientific dissemination, this week we hosted several visits so that students with diverse training could learn about our research work. In this case, the visitors contacted with the work developed within the framework of four research areas:

Clinical and Biomedical Laboratory Students from the IES Santo Domingo de Alcorcón attended a hands-on workshop  on Wednesday, February 22 in which were introduced to Microbial Electrochemical Technologies and their applications in wasterwater  treatment. This activiity was hosted by the bioelectrogenesis group, whose research is focused on wastewater treatments through microbial electrochemistry, based on the ability of certain microorganisms to "communicate" with materials conducting electricity through the exchange of electrons

Research lines "Water and Energy" and "Ecology of Groundwater" carried out activities for the youngest students on 23^rd Thursday . Thus,  they could explore the  integration of photovoltaic solar technologies into water treatment processes to solve the problem of access to potable water and / or wastewater treatment. Primary students of the school Antonio Buero Vallejo of San Sebastián de los Reyes approached this world through multiple activities that allowed them to discover three different uses of solar energy: thermal, through a solar cooker; photovoltaic, whit solar toys; and solar disinfection. Bacteria bears and other games approached them to the world of microbes in the water.

Groundwater ecology line is focused on biomonitoring and analysis of invertebrate communities as bio-indicators of water quality in aquifers contaminated by urban, rural and mining activities. This group approached their research to the children through games in which they discovered what groundwater is and who are its "inhabitants".

Finally, students of the Chemistry Degree from the University of Alcalá visited the water laboratory of the Institute. They learned about the high level equipment, which allows us to analyse all types of water samples (physical-chemical analysis, metals, organic micropollutants with priority and emerging substances) using a wide range of analytical techniques.