ICRA took part in the Girona node of the European Researchers’ Night, an initiative that brings science closer to citizens through outreach activities aimed at audiences of all ages.

On 24 September, at CaixaForum Girona, the institute participated in a session of science micro-talks featuring “The Sewer System: The Social Network That Connects Us All”, presented by Sílvia Busquets Font (TRARGISA-ICRA), and “Forewarned Is Forearmed: Biofilm as an Indicator”, presented by Neus Besolí Mestres (ICRA).

The following day, 25 September, at Plaça Santa Susanna del Mercadal, ICRA offered several hands-on activities designed for families. Among them was GLH2OPS, an activity supported by a grant from the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation (FCRI) that promotes more conscious drinking water consumption through educational content and a blind tasting of different types of water: tap, bottled, pitcher-filtered and reverse-osmosis water.

ICRA also presented “From Methane to Feed”, an activity showing how certain microorganisms can transform methane into proteins for animal feed, illustrating the potential of biotechnology to support more sustainable production systems. In addition, an invisible-ink drawing workshop sparked the curiosity and creativity of younger participants.

The event also included a workshop on microplastics, led, among others, by researchers Jordi Colomer and Teresa Serra (ICRA-UdG). The workshop helped participants gain a better understanding of how microplastics are transported and dispersed in aquatic ecosystems, as well as the environmental impacts they generate.

The European Researchers’ Night provides an excellent opportunity to share knowledge, bring research closer to citizens and highlight its value in addressing today’s societal challenges.