The School of Sciences of the University of Navarra and Kimikarin -a platform to bring science closer to children and young people- create Kimikarin Lab: a program aimed at children from 8 to 14 years old who want to learn basic science concepts in a fun way and internship through the methodology Learningby doing: learning by doing.

The workshops -which will take place two Fridays a month, between February and June, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Sciences Building of the University of Navarra- will be supervised by the professor of Degree of Chemistry Cristina Sola and taught by students of doctorate and by members of kimikarin.

"The goal", explains Ainhoa Pipaón, coordinator of Kimikarin, "is that children approach science, breaking the taboo that it is something boring or too complicated. In addition, we intend that during the course of the program the kids acquire the skills of learning by projects or challenges, know how to work in teams, develop their creativity and imagination, experiment from the internship, strengthen logical thinking and verbal communication".

The 10 workshops of the program will be held on alternate Fridays (every other Friday) and will begin on February 2 with the first of the five thematic blocks, graduate "Chemical eruptions". "In it the children will make volcanoes, work on concepts such as lava and fire and all with fun experiments. The second block will delve into the Chemistry pringosa, the third in the sensoryChemistry , the fourth in the Chemistry of a thousand colors and the fifth will point to the CSI of the Chemistry, with experiments to detect fingerprints or traces of blood, "details the teacher of the Degree of Chemistry and coordinator of project, Cristina Sola.

"In the course development students will internalize, in a playful way, concepts such as acid-base reactions, precipitation, reduction-oxidation, what is a catalyst, reaction rate or activation energy", adds the professor.

Teaching Chemistry in China

group The project Kimikarin was born from the concern of a group of students of the Degree in Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovation of the University of Mondragon who, after learning about the "Learning by doing" method in Finland, contacted scientists from the department of Chemistry of the University of Navarra and last summer launched the first Kimikarin Science Lab camp. An experience that they consider "a success" and that they will repeat this year from June with a new offer of weekly camps.

Kimikarin has also offered workshops and camps in Shanghai (China), in other centers in Pamplona and in the Basque Country.

The period of registration in this long-term program is open until January 21 on the Program's website. Limited to 25 places, the price is 170 € and includes all the materials required for the experiments, with a 10% discount from the second sibling.