Each Saturday morning, a group of students from Colegio Kinal gathered at the Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory B-Hive at Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG) to address the issue of potable water. Led by César, Luis Alfredo, and Josué, these students joined eight peers to participate in UVG’s first Science Club.
Over the course of a month, 11 final-year technical students from Kinal attended both theoretical and practical sessions at UVG’s Central Campus. They explored subjects such as physics, biology, biotechnology, mathematics, and chemistry with the aim of applying scientific knowledge to real-world problems.
Dr. Pamela Pennington, dean of the Faculty of Sciences and Humanities at UVG, stated: "The main objective of the UVG Science Club was to bring science closer to young people and show them the different career possibilities that the scientific field offers."
Directors from various academic programs participated in this first edition of the club. They shared insights about their disciplines and discussed how research and experimentation can contribute to sustainable development in Guatemala. The sessions combined short lectures with laboratory workspaces where Kinal students applied what they learned.
Two projects emerged from this initiative: Eco-Vida and Molino Filtrante. Eco-Vida involved a gravity-based water filter designed to purify natural water sources without electricity. The team explained how accessible materials could help improve water quality in rural communities.
The second project, Molino Filtrante, featured a system that filtered water while generating energy through mechanical movement. This solution reflected a multidisciplinary approach by integrating principles from physics and biotechnology.
The collaboration between UVG and Colegio Kinal through this Science Club highlighted academic partnership efforts aimed at fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and innovation among young people. Students were invited to join future editions focused on similar goals.
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