The initiative aims to offer an experience of science, art, and technology during the winter break at the ECU.
La Universidad Nacional de Rosario In the midst of winter break, the University of Buenos Aires launches the fourth edition of "Visible lo invisible": an art, science, and technology fair for play and learning. It will take place on July 7,8,10, 11, 14, and 17, from 750:XNUMX p.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m., at the University Cultural Space (San Martín XNUMX), with free admission.
As in previous editions, "Visible the Invisible" will offer a variety of activities, including experimentation, games, and creative spaces. Under the theme "Footprints," visitors will be able to delve into the world of parasites and the importance of oxygen; learn about aspects of the city and life in the present, past, and future; explore the carbon footprint we leave on the planet; and learn through play in the playroom.
The experiences of the three previous editions were entirely positive, to the point that Rosario citizens have embraced a space in which the University connects science with the arts and society. "Through the incorporation of recreational strategies, games, and workshops, we strive not only to vindicate our University's scientific output but also to promote scientific vocations. We have improved based on the demands; last year, we incorporated a survey for children and adolescents so they can value and question the experience. This has also allowed us to modify certain aspects and incorporate some that we hadn't previously considered," explained Elena Gasparri, Secretary of the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation for Development at UNR.
"This activity invites you to participate with proposals that seek to see, create, and recreate things that are not visible to the naked eye, things that happen in the world around us, but also within us, using art, science, and technology to achieve this," summarized María Soledad Casasola, head of the UNR Science Communications Department.
The event will feature scientists from the UNR and other institutions in the city, who will guide attendees on a fascinating tour to discover what, at first glance, remains hidden. “Scientists, professors, researchers, and, most importantly, students, play a key role because all the proposals we are presenting and developing involve stakeholders from various disciplines. In general, all the stations include contributions from various departments, professors, and faculties linked to the content, which in turn are discussed with specialists in each of these topics,” Casasola commented.
Gasparri explained that the concept of traces is an element that has been worked on since the previous edition, because it allows for addressing the different disciplinary perspectives that science has on the traces left by biological, natural, and cultural activities, and around this, it allows for the generation of a common narrative throughout the fair. "Although we work with historical, poetic, biological, and cultural traces, which can appear as completely different and dissimilar issues in terms of scientific production, they are unified in this concept and allow us to give the exhibition a cohesive narrative, allowing us to showcase the interdisciplinary perspective necessary to address social problems."
Magnifying glasses and microscopes, interactive displays, immersive activities, and 3D printing are combined with calm reading spaces for babies, the sensory experience of the wetland garden, and invitations to create new objects or learn about others from the past.
One of the major new features of this fourth edition is the active participation of teachers and students from UNR middle schools, who will lead experimentation and outreach initiatives. “This year, in particular, we are very pleased with the participation of the pre-university schools. The Polytechnic will present various interactive experiences specifically designed for adolescents; and the Agricultural School is also participating in this same vein. In addition, the School of Social Sciences will participate with an outreach initiative aimed at the youngest children, in a new space we inaugurated this year: the Terú Terú Baby Library, designed especially for children ages zero to three, an age group for which we have not previously offered specific activities at Visible lo Invisible,” explained Casasola.
On the first floor of the ECU, "The Trail of Light" will be operating, a project run by a team of researchers from UNR, Conicet, and the Juan B. Castagnino Museum of Fine Arts. Additionally, at the close of each day, Professor Robert, a character played by Magician Gustav, will offer a science and magic show for the whole family. "The 'Trail of Light' initiative brings together researchers from the Rosario Institute of Physics, faculty from the Faculty of Engineering, and staff from the Castagnino Museum in an activity that wonderfully combines science, technology, and art. On the ground floor, there will be various stations featuring researchers from the Faculties of Architecture, Biochemistry, Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture, Humanities, and Political Science. We have a host of activities for everyone to play and learn," Casasola stated.
“Visible the Invisible” is an initiative that seeks to bring scientific and technological knowledge to the community in an entertaining way, promoting curiosity and learning at all ages.
Casasola emphasized that the main challenge is to continue updating the proposals without losing sight of scientific rigor. He explained that, since they have been developing the activity for several years, they have been able to collect data from surveys that allow them to "take the pulse" of what most appeals to children and their families. "Last year's data showed us that children are not only interested in experimenting with virtual reality or new technologies, but also in creating: painting, drawing, imagining answers to questions posed to them," he said. In this sense, he emphasized the importance of generating interesting proposals that leave the public "wanting to return," as well as the need to think not only about the children themselves, but also about those who accompany them, and to offer a safe and diverse space where everyone can "touch, inquire, explore." "That is our main challenge, and we are constantly trying to improve it."
science here
One of the most profound pillars of the "Visible the Invisible" proposal is the vindication of the value of local science, conceived and constructed from the territory itself. In a context where science has been challenged by various public discourses, it is essential that the community be able to experience, firsthand, the work carried out in the laboratories, classrooms, and research centers of the UNR and other institutions in the city.
“Being able to tell firsthand why science is important is one of the most valuable aspects of this activity. It's key to produce knowledge from here, from our questions, our problems, our ways of seeing the world. There's no substitute for that. We ourselves must investigate what surrounds us and find answers from within our own communities,” Casasola said.
For his part, Gasparri emphasized that one of the most powerful strategies of "Visible the Invisible" to break down the idea that science is something distant or inaccessible is to integrate it into everyday practices through recreational activities and workshops. "It's about showing that science is a way of producing knowledge that allows us to reflect on and analyze the problems of daily life. From there, we can find solutions, enhance the positive, and, in any case, transform or eliminate those things that negatively affect society," he said.
Journalist: Gonzalo J. García / Photographer: Camila Casero.