The Science Museum of the University of Navarra hosts a national congress for secondary school students on invasive alien species

The Science Museum of the University of Navarra has organized StudIAS, a national congress for secondary school students on invasive alien species. Through this event, which will take place from May 31 to June 3 on the campus of the University of Navarra, the aim is to raise awareness among the new generations about the impact that these species have on ecosystems.

"The objective of this congress is to provide a teaching tool and a meeting point for ESO students, as well as to promote knowledge and awareness of Invasive Alien Species in the Iberian Peninsula," explains Rafael Miranda, director of the congress and researcher at the Institute of Biodiversity and Environment of the University of Navarra.

The participating teams, which will be formed by a maximum of three students and a professor, will present a project related to the impact caused by invasive alien species. The works will be evaluated by a scientific committee based on their scientific rigor, interest and creativity.

The first prize consists of a four-day, all-expenses-paid trip to a National Park, to be chosen from the following options: Islas Atlánticas de Galicia and the natural park of Dunas de Corrubedo and lagoons of Carregal and Vixán; Tablas de Daimiel and the lagoons of Ruidera and the motilla de Azuer; and Ordesa y Monte Perdido and the Natural Park of Sierra y Cañones de Guara. The winning team will be accompanied by a scientific expert who will act as a guide, showing the most outstanding aspects of the fauna and flora of the National Park. The second prize is a field kit for the observation of fauna and flora, and the third prize is a set of products from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Navarra.

A program of science outreach activities

StudIAS 2022 kicks off on Tuesday, May 31 in the auditorium of the Science Building of the University of Navarra with an inaugural conference at 4:30 pm by Rosa Porcel, researcher at the Universitat Politècnica de València and science communicator. At 18:30 the winning film of the III edition of #LabMeCrazy! Science Film Festival.

On Wednesday, June 1 at 9:00 a.m., Ignacio López-Goñi, Professor of Microbiology at the University of Navarra and scientific disseminator, will give the inaugural lecture entitled: "Invasive microorganisms". From 10:00 a.m. until lunch time, the oral communications of the congress participants will take place. At 5:30 p.m. there will be a census of fish in the river, an outdoor activity guided by the researcher Rafael Miranda.

On Thursday, June 2, at 9:00 a.m., the keynote lecture "Invaders with a lot of chemistry" will be given by José Ramón Isasi, professor of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Navarra and researcher at the Institute of Biodiversity and Environment. This will be followed by oral communications and at 17:30, Enrique Baquero, zoologist and researcher at the Institute of Biodiversity and Environment, will guide attendees on an urban safari through Pamplona, to learn about the different species that inhabit the city.

And on Friday, June 3, starting at 10:00 a.m., participants will visit the Señorío de Bértiz Natural Park (Navarra) with scientists who will explain the research projects being carried out in the park.

StudIAS is a conference for students on the dissemination of invasive alien species organized by the Science Museum of the University of Navarra in collaboration with the Institute of Biodiversity and Environment of the academic center, within the framework of the actions developed in the LIFE Invasaqua program. 

Life Invasaqua is a European project on invasive alien species in freshwater and estuarine systems, a governance and communication project co-funded by the European Union to advance awareness and training on IAS in Spain and Portugal.