BESS Students Celebrate World Water Day with Community Service
The initiative was designed to educate students from different schools in Segovia about the water scarcity crisis.
Coinciding with the World Water Day, students and faculty in the Bachelor of Environmental Sciences for Sustainability (BESS) spearheaded an initiative to educate young children and pre-university students from different schools in Segovia on water conservation and sustainability practices. The event, held at the Casa de la Moneda, goes hand in hand with the BESS’s mission in engaging students with citizen science activities that contribute to research and hone their leadership skills.
The collaboration between IE University and Segovia’s City Council included a series of interactive sessions ranging from augmented reality to scientific experiments in surface tension, erosion and water retention capacity.
Juan Carlos Silva-Tamayo, Academic Director of the BESS said the event encourages IE students to understand their role in creating change.
“Participation of students in the Water Day at IE University offers students of the Bachelor in Environmental Sciences for Sustainability a unique opportunity to engage in citizen science initiatives with school children,” he said. “This hands-on experience fosters a sense of responsibility and empowerment among students, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to inspire positive change in their communities.”
Aimed at showing the gravity of climate change next to water scarcity, participants took part in a virtual reality experience where they had to survive a hurricane.
Gonzalo de la Cámara, Director of the Center for Water and Climate Adaptation at IE University gave a talk Water: The Most Important Global Crisis that is Least Talked About, and emphasized the need for immediate action to water policy and management.
BESS student Ben Stoltzman said educating the younger generation about protecting the environment and water resources is vital.
“I believe that teaching the younger generations about the importance of water is truly special,” he highlighted. “Instilling a mindset aimed at protecting the environment at a young age is what is needed for the future of the planet.”
The BESS follows a project-based pedagogical approach and continues to engage its students in field projects as well as volunteering opportunities to enrich their learning experiences. Last month, students visited the Rio Tinto Mining District and learned about acid mine drainages through a hands-on-approach.