“It is important to bring science closer to students through practical activities”

Jaion Torres, a technology teacher at Subilla Public Institute, has one thing clear: bringing science closer to students through hands-on activities. “There are fewer and fewer schoolchildren who are enrolling in engineering-related jobs and I think that is because they see it as too far and too difficult for them,” he points out. This was the reason why he introduced the fourth ESO students to the Elhuyar Science Fair, which took place a few days ago.

The fact is that they not only passed the first tests, but also became winners of an event in which 40 other educational centers participated. The project? Subversive vegetable packing machine. “It all started thanks to Jaione, who encouraged us to create a sketch of what could be a lentil packing tool, something that could work in real life,” says Julene Egozkue, one of the teens who collaborated on the proposal.

For the students, aged 15-16, being a part of the exhibition “was a great experience”. “We’ve never gone to this kind of event to make important initiatives, and even though they told us it had to be normal because there would be other schools, you always had those nerves,” explains young Unax Miranda from Sopeloztar.

The work began in October when Torres organized 16 students into groups of three so that, under the same idea, they crafted different machines. According to the teacher, the activity helped “know how to work in groups”. “It was a way of bringing science to the table, which might not have been possible otherwise, like, say, giving them books full of problems or theories. As a team, we managed boys and girls together to design, manufacture and teach,” he points out.

To win Galicia

The device is based on a control system, with one or two motors, which, by means of a belt, slide the legumes until they are grounded in a bowl. In addition, it has an optical sensor that is used to know when the maximum weight is reached. The tool, in the words of Ostaixka Pastor, allows “to store food regardless of its size. We can include different types, since they will be automatically filled with the same amount.”

For them, winning the competition was a “real surprise”. “There was a high level and we didn’t have a lot of expectations, especially because we had to compete in the afternoon, seeing as there were very good proposals,” Pasteur says. Going out to teach and telling what they did in front of an unknown audience was one of the most engaging experiences.

“Going to the gallery has helped us see other examples, more perspectives and an appreciation of how many other people share your passion,” explains Urko Fonseca, who aspires to become a doctor in the future. “The most interesting thing about this project was the versatility, as we not only focused on building the machine, but we also had to send the video, the informative document and the oral part, which is vital, because we learned to know how people transmit the invention.” Likewise, they realize that it was a unique opportunity to feel the world of work. The next challenge will be to win the Galiciencia, the largest science fair held in the community where they will compete statewide.