The initial results of the Life ADAPTAMED project will be shown in Parque de las Ciencias (Granada) from November 2017 onwards. The museum, a project partner together with Sierra Nevada and Cabo de Gata-Níjar Nature Parks, will be responsible for the dissemination of the conclusions of scientific research over three years, 2017, 2018 and 2019, through the production of two Windows to Science, a micro exhibition and the organization of an Encounter with scientists among other.

The yearly volume of visitors to the museum, over 600,000, and its capacity to attract a heterogeneous audience, make of it the ideal setting to take the Life ADAPTAMED results to the citizen. Above all, programmes such as the Window to Science, a transparent space promoted by the Economy and Knowledge Department of Andalusia's regional government (Consejería de Economía y Conocimiento de la Junta de Andalucía) in collaboration with Andalusian universities, devised to take science to society by showing some of the R+D activities developed in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia.

The Parque de las Ciencias will develop two Windows devoted to the project; the first one will be inaugurated in November 2017 and the second one in November 2019.
On the other hand, the micro exhibition - a format also used by the Parque de las Ciencias since 2007-, will provide the audience with the opportunity to work on and go deeper into global change from an interdisciplinary and integrating perspective. The design, with big format panels, educational guides and materials for experimental activities, will allow for a high diverse audience to get closer to the topic of climate change in an accessible way. The exhibition will be inaugurated in the Parque de las Ciencias at the end of 2018 and will travel to various districts in Andalusia.

Moreover, the audience, and the youngest above all, will have the opportunity to get to know the researchers in person during the Encounter to be held with the project scientists to present the research results and process, some of the key aspects that make the research world so fascinating. One of the main objectives of this activity is to foster new vocations in science.

A long history in environmental education, awareness and conservation
The Parque de las Ciencias has taken over the communication of Life ADAPTAMED results as it has a long history in environmental education, awareness and conservation. Since its inauguration in 1995, one of the museum objectives has been the promotion of a scientific and environmental culture through facilities such as the Tropical Butterfly Pavilion, the area of Flying Birds of Prey, Botanical Routes or the Biosphere Room. In addition to outreach activities, it is a sustainable and efficient building with educational outdoor facilities such as the Area of clean energies and the organization of training activities and exhibitions to raise public awareness on preserving the environment.

With the forthcoming inauguration of Biodomo, the museum will bring together environmental research, education and conservation in a place to be "a combination of zoo, botanical garden and aquarium. It is a particular space, magical, aesthetic, an immersive space with living beings as main characters that will transport visitors to totally exotic locations", explains the Director of Science and Education of the Parque de las Ciencias, Javier Medina.

Furthermore, the museum offers other outreach experiences concerning global change including a Cycle of Conferences on Biodiversity and Conservation, organized since 2001 with the University of Granada; various editions of the Solar Meeting, one of them devised around the use of renewable energies to halt climate change; the organizations of the 1st International Symposium on the Antarctica and Climate Evolution (2009) or the Conference on "The value of mountain protected areas in a global context" (2009), organized by the Observatory of Sierra Nevada and the Environmental local government (Delegación Provincial de Medio Ambiente), during which the Global Change Observatory in Sierra Nevada Natural Area was presented, among others.

More information: Lourdes López

Photo: Outside the Parque de las Ciencias in Granada. © Parque de las Ciencias