Bilbao, 25 April 2015

204 young people from Secondary Education have gathered at the Plaza Nueva in Bilbao throughout the day in Zientzia Azoka. 58% of the participants were girls and the remaining 42% were boys. The event counted with the participation of sixty-five groups, each of which has had its own stand to inform visitors their projects.

From 12 noon to 8 pm, young people have enjoyed science all day: they have presented their work to the public, received their diplomas, learned to experiment in the space organized by Elhuyar, and in the end the authors of the best works have been awarded.

Zientzia Azoka
stands

Young people from the following ESO and Baccalaureate centres participated in the Zientzia Azoka: IES Alaitz (Pamplona), Arizmendi ikastola (Eskoriatza), IES Arrigorriaga (Arrigorriaga), IES Askatasuna (Burlada), Begoñazpi Ikastola (Bilbao), C.E. San Mames Peñascal, S. Coop. Elc. (Bilbao), IES Eunate (Pamplona), Escolapios Hirukide (Tolosa), IES Cruces BHI (Barakaldo), IES Plaza de la Cruz (Pamplona), Colegio La Anunciata (San Sebastián), Ikastola Lauaxeta (Amorebieta), Ikastola Lauro. Azkue Ikastola (Lekeitio). In addition, the Institut Thalassa has participated, winner of the Catalan Exporecerca.

The papers presented focused on many topics, especially environmental and health issues. Through their research, young people have tried to find solutions to the doubts and problems of the everyday life of citizens. For example, one group has studied whether soaps eliminate dirt, the impact of sounds on plant growth, another has tried to find an anti-Ebola drug, another has investigated insects appearing in several bodies that rot in different conditions…

Featured Jobs

All young people who participated in the fair have received their diplomas: Begoña Garamendi, Director of Educational Innovation of the Basque Government, and Aitziber Lasa, Head of Scientific Education at Elhuyar and Coordinator of Zientzia Azoka. Of the works presented, the jury has awarded:

- 1 and 2 THAT: The most complete work

- Group: Little scientist
- Center and level: Lauaxeta Ikastola, DBH2
- Name of the job: Tobacco, the main enemy of our lungs?
- Reasons for the mention: the topic and the questions raised are appropriate, highlighting the methodology worked, the results and the way to provide conclusions. A problem has been addressed in the nearest environment and surveys and research have been conducted in the environment, involving classmates and the school. The explanations have also been very illustrative, very visual.
- Award ceremony: Inés Jacob, dean of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Deusto.

- BDH 3 and 4: The most complete work

- Group:
B and C: Lauro Ikastola, DBH4
- Name of the job: Opening communication channels in education
- Reasons for the mention: they have analyzed the communication process in the educational field in a very effective and complete way. Research and methodology have been applied in several examples and the results have been obtained and explained in all of them.
- Award ceremony: Jesús María Pintor, Vice-Rector for Teaching Management at UPNA/UPNA.

- High school: The most complete work

- Group: McLovin Team
- Center and level: Lauro Ikastola, Bachillerato 2
- Name of the job: Use of the PCR technique for the study of DNA
- Reasons for the mention: Taking a small sample of circulating DNA and amplifying it, they have tested different advances and techniques. The approach of the work and the methodology used and the communication of the project have been very satisfactory.
- Award ceremony: Fernando Plazaola, Vice-Rector for Research at UPV/EHU.

- Outstanding biomedical work

- Group: Ourselves
- Center and level: Lauro ikastola, Batxilergoa 2
- Name of the job: Research of insects appearing in rotting bodies in different conditions
- Reasons for the mention: it is a prominent work in the field of biology, the orginality of work, the approach and methodology have also been adequate.
- Award ceremony: Joseba Jauregizar Bilbao, General Manager of Tecnalia.

- Outstanding work in communication

- Group: Txatxarramendi
- Center and level: Lauro Ikastola, Bachillerato 2
- Name of the job: Pampa vegetal en tierras vizcainas: looking for the method of elimination
- Reasons for the mention: in addition to the originality of the work, the team has made a presentation and communication specially worked, prepared and effective.
- Award ceremony: Look at Nekane Errasti Lozares, academic coordinator of the Polytechnic College of Mondragon Unibertsitatea.

- Mention of the greatest contribution

- Group: Zientzia Lauaxeta
- Center and level: Lauaxeta, DBH3
- Name of the job: How to adapt to climate change
- Reasons for the appointment: They have tried to respond to a current problem and have proposed different techniques and solutions.
- Award ceremony: Eva Armesto, Head of the Business Promotion Service of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia.

- Methodological rigor

- Representative: Francesc Sabater Garcia
- School and level: Institut Thalassa, DBH2
- Name of the job: •
The poster for the presentation of the project and the presentation of the method have also been excellent.
- Award ceremony: Arantza Aurrekoetxea Bilbao, Deputy Minister of Education, Linguistic Policy and Culture of the Basque Government.

- Diversity of collaborations:

- Group: GO´S
- Center and level: Begoñazpi Ikastola, DBH 4
- Name of the job: The multiple intelligences - Reasons for the mention: the
jury has decided that the work has been done with an excellent collaboration model. They have involved both colleagues and teachers as well as people and extracurricular institutions.
- Award ceremony: Xabier Díaz Silvestre, Director of the BTEK Technology Interpretation Center.

- More creative/original work:

- Group: Plasmalariak
- Center and level: Lauaxeta Ikastola, 3º ESO
- Name of the job: Obtaining useful plasma
- Reasons for the mention: they have created a plasma with simple materials of everyday use. The jury has concluded that it is a very original and topical idea.
- Award ceremony: María Jesús del Blanco, Bilbao City Council, Director of the Economic Promotion Area of Bilbao Ekintza

- Special mention of the jury:

- Group: Star Work
- School and level:C.E. San Mamés, Cooperativa Peñascal, 2 ESO
- Name of the job: The evolution of telecommunications in the last century
- Reasons for the mention: the jury highlighted the vision and historical trajectory of the work done, along with the attractive quality and presentation of the same.
- Award ceremony: Jose Luis Lekanda, Communications Manager at IK4.

Young winners at Zientzia Azoka

The jury has been composed of people from the field of research and education: Leire Cancio and María Gil, members of Elhuyar; Elvira González, Luis Carlos Zaballos and Pilar Etxebarria, advisors to the Department of Education; Joseba Laka, director of the ICT Division of Tecnalia; Koldo Gondra, coordinator of the Gaiker-ANTZA Public School

Science Fair

Zientzia Azoka is an exhibition of scientific projects carried out by young people and organized by Elhuyar. Throughout the course each group of students has worked on the chosen topic: asking, researching, designing, building and having new experiences. Result of the work: a research project or a technological project. The works have been exhibited at the fair held in Bilbao. Young travel companions have had professional researchers who have helped them guide their work and share adventures and experiences.

La Zientzia Azoka is a tool to promote the taste for science among young people, promote scientific culture and spread science here and today. Several research centers and educational entities have collaborated in this initiative organized by Elhuyar: The UPV/EHU, the Higher Polytechnic School of Mondragon Unibertsitatea, Deustotech, UPNA/UPNA, Tecnalia, IK4, BTEK, the Department of Education, Linguistic Policy and Culture of the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of Bizkaia and the Old Town have been collaborators.