Students from CEIP Fray Enrique Flórez in Villadiego take part in a citizen science session to learn about the nitrates in the water in their surroundings
The activity, carried out within the framework of the Life-Nitrazens project, introduced students in 4th, 5th and 6th grade of Primary Education to the issue of nitrates through a sample-collection route at various points around the municipality.
The Villadiego school hosted a new citizen science session as part of the Life-Nitrazens project, in which around 30 students from 4th, 5th and 6th grade of Primary Education took part. The aim of the activity was to introduce students to the importance of knowing about and caring for water quality, as well as to show in a practical way how sample collection is carried out for nitrate analysis.
During the session, students took part in a route around the municipality’s surroundings in which different water points were visited, including a well, a natural spring and the river. Along the route, the schoolchildren were able to learn about the sample-collection procedure, the importance of correctly recording the information associated with each point, and the role that citizens play in generating data useful for better understanding the state of the water.
Students took part hands-on in a demonstration activity on sample collection, which allowed them to become familiar with the equipment and understand the importance of carrying out the process in an orderly and rigorous manner.
In addition, sampling kits were given to some students from nearby towns, so that they could later carry out sample collection together with their parents, siblings or other family members. In this way, the activity was not limited to the classroom, but was conceived as an opportunity to bring citizen science into the family setting and to other nearby localities.
Life-Nitrazens is a European project focused on monitoring nitrates in water through citizen science. Through the participation of citizens, farmers, educational centers and local stakeholders, the project seeks to improve knowledge about the presence of nitrates in the territory and to foster greater awareness of the protection of water resources.
The session held in Villadiego made it possible to bring this issue to students in a simple, participatory way, connected to their immediate surroundings, reinforcing the idea that citizen science can also start at school.