What is the project On the Air! all about?

On the Air! is a project led by Leticia Bidegaray-Batista and Anita Aisenberg, researchers at the Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE) in Uruguay, and Carla Pereira Prieto, an educator at the School Nº 54 “Clemente Estable” in Cerro Partido, a disadvantaged neighborhood of Minas, a town in Uruguay. The project aims at organizing a series of educational activities to help in the training and personal development of the students through engaging workshops. In these workshops, they will learn to conduct research and share their insights by creating a series of scientific podcasts to be broadcasted at the newly established radio station “Del Cerro al mundo” (“From Cerro to the World”). The students will have the opportunity to share what they have learned thanks to the lessons delivered by renowned scientists, communication specialists and musicians in Uruguay. 

Why did you choose to support this specific project with your rowing journey along the Douro River? 

We believe in the fundamental role of science, technology and arts to a better future world. It is important that students have access to such knowledge in an enjoyable and easy way, and podcasts are an ideal tool for achieving this goal. Not only do they allow students to foster their creativity, but also enhance their communication skills. Students will learn to conduct research, write scripts, work collaboratively and communicate information effectively, skills which will serve them well in the future. Podcasts will give them a platform to be listened to and to feel that their ideas and discoveries are important. 

How do you plan to use the collected funds? 

We are part of a Committee, called Palabras+, that for the last 10 years has been organizing cultural and social activities in support of educational programmes around the world. The funds raised in this intense challenge will be entirely dedicated to purchasing the recording equipment needed to produce the podcasts and organizing workshops where the students will learn to create and edit these scientific pieces of information. Technical equipment and adequate training are necessary for them to make the most out of this experience. Our goal is to ensure that the students have all they require to do a great job. 

In your opinion, what will be the impact of this project on the students and their community? 

We hope this project will impact in many ways. On the Air! will provide the students with an educational tool, and it will make science more engaging and accessible. By sharing their podcasts, they will contribute valuable knowledge to the community. 

How can people support this initiative? 

Rowing down the Douro river requires an intense physical effort, and it is a challenge for which we are training really hard. We hope that our readers will support us by sponsoring part (or all!) of the 180 km that we will be rowing! 

There are many other ways for people to support this initiative: participating in activities organized by Palabras+, the proceeds of which will be used to support the project; sharing information about the project with their networks to make more people aware of the initiative; or organizing their own fundraising events. Another way to support this initiative is by becoming a donor. Every contribution, no matter how small, will be of immense help, and will bring us closer to our goal of providing the “Clemente Estable” students with a unique and valuable experience.

Should you need more information, do not hesitate to visit our website: https://afie.es/Uruguay.