This morning, and for the second year running, Barcelona Zoo played host to STEAM Zoo, a series of activities relating to biology and aimed at students in their first and second years of secondary school.  In all, 640 youngsters from various secondary schools in Barcelona and the metropolitan area took part.

The students enjoyed four activities conducted by a team of educators at Barcelona Zoo, who worked together with teaching and research staff from the East Barcelona School of Engineering (EEBE) at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia - BarcelonaTech (UPC).

The first of these workshops, entitled “DNA in your hands”, saw students extracting DNA from a sample of strawberry cells, which they were also able to touch. The workshop “What are we eating?” consisted of a series of experiments which enabled the students to learn how we turn what we eat into energy. The third activity, “Interpreting what we think”, saw participants conduct live tests to find out how the body’s brain and muscles communicate with each other. Finally, in “Bionic hand” students learnt how we move our extremities.  

In addition, the students enjoyed a participatory show called “The three neurones”, where they learnt how the cells making up nervous tissue function.   

For the First Deputy Mayor and chair of the Barcelona Zoo Foundation, Laia Bonet, “STEAM meetings are a clear example of Barcelona’s commitment to science and its efforts to encourage science vocations among young people, particularly girls. The fact that the Zoo has hosted one every year also highlights the work it has done to become a leader in environmental education, science, the conservation of biodiversity and the promotion of values which are implicit in it”. 

Park Güell becomes a new STEAM site for primary school students 

The next STEAM session being organised by BSM and the EEBE is at Park Güell on 30 November. This is the first time the park will be taking part in these activities, offering a programme of activities designed for children in their 5th and 6th years at primary school, a new age group included in the project.

Through a variety of workshops and guided activities, the students will work on several curricular skills in the fields of mathematics, science, art and technology, while discovering the secrets of Gaudí and Modernista architecture. This initiative reaffirms Park Güell and BSM’s commitment by creating new experiences that ensure public enjoyment and educational use of this heritage site.

After that, on 20 March 2024 the programme will head to Parc del Fòrum, which will once again act as a large science and technology laboratory for students in their 4th year of secondary school or baccalaureate studies, topics that students in their 2nd and 3rd year of secondary school will also explore at the Palau Sant Jordi on 16 April.

STEAM activities this school year will end on 8 May 2024 at Tibidabo, and are expected to bring together 7,000 students in all.