Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T13:37:32.495Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Approaching materials science and solar energy to Uruguayan school children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 March 2013

M. Pérez Barthaburu
Affiliation:
Grupo de Semiconductores Compuestos, CURE, Universidad de la República, Rocha, Uruguay
I. Aguiar
Affiliation:
Grupo de Semiconductores Compuestos, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
C. Bañobre
Affiliation:
Grupo de Semiconductores Compuestos, CURE, Universidad de la República, Rocha, Uruguay
I. Galain
Affiliation:
Grupo de Semiconductores Compuestos, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
A. Cárdenas
Affiliation:
Grupo de Semiconductores Compuestos, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
M. Mombrú
Affiliation:
Grupo de Semiconductores Compuestos, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
A. Noguera
Affiliation:
Grupo de Semiconductores Compuestos, CURE, Universidad de la República, Rocha, Uruguay
H. Bentos Pereira
Affiliation:
Grupo de Semiconductores Compuestos, CURE, Universidad de la República, Rocha, Uruguay
M. Rodríguez Chialanza
Affiliation:
Grupo de Semiconductores Compuestos, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
L. Fornaro
Affiliation:
Grupo de Semiconductores Compuestos, CURE, Universidad de la República, Rocha, Uruguay
Get access

Abstract

There is an extended concern related to renewable energies in South America. Particularly the Uruguayan government is encouraging initiatives in solar, biofuels and eolic wind energy issues. On the other hand, and in a similar manner than in other countries, Uruguay celebrates the “Science and Technology Week”, an activity annually organized, focused on sharing knowledge between scientists and technologists and society. In 2012, this week was devoted to energy and sustainability. In this framework we carried out an interactive activity in five primary school classes with the aim of bringing materials science and solar energy to children between 10 and 12 years old. In the beginning of the activity we asked students to complete a brief survey containing a few questions about materials and energy. This survey allowed us to further the children’s knowledge about these topics. Then, we introduced materials science history relating it with mankind development. From the active participation of children in the activity, we derived to materials applied in solar cells, performing demonstrations with real solar cells and showing their importance for improving our country energetic efficiency while preserving the environment. At the end of each activity students showed great enthusiasm about including alternative energies in their daily life. Furthermore, they realized the importance of materials science, and were capable of understanding the relation between materials and the development of solar cells. We consider the spread of this activity as an excellent way of creating consciousness from an early age, which will help in the achievement of a more sustainable country.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2013

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Instrumento de articulación público - privado para el fomento de la Energía Solar en el Uruguay, Secretaría Ejecutiva de la Mesa Solar, Unesco, 2010.Google Scholar
“El estado de la ciencia, Principales Indicadores de Ciencia y Tecnología Iberoamericanos/Interamericanos ”, 2011, Red de indicadores de ciencia y tecnología iberoamericanos e interamericanos, Organización de Estados Americanos.Google Scholar
“¿Qué lugar ocupan la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de las ciencias experimentales en la formación de grado de maestros?, Reina Pintos Ganón, Cuadernos de Investigación Educativa, Vol. 2, N. 13, July 2006.Google Scholar
“Las energías renovables en Uruguay”, 2011, Ministerio de Industria, Energía y Minería.Google Scholar
“La educación superior en Iberoamérica 2011, la educación superior en Uruguay”, Carlos Romero, 2011, Centro Universitario de Desarrollo.Google Scholar
“Ingeniería con cero desempleo, elegida solo por 6%”, El Observador, daily Uruguayan newspaper, 12/12/2011, http://www.elobservador.com.uy/noticia/214887/ingenieria-con-cero-desempleo-elegida-solo-por-6/ Google Scholar
Fornaro, L., Espinosa, H., Laborde, G., J. of Mat. Educ. Vol. 27 (3–6): 123-134, (2005).Google Scholar