FARMOLAP Group’s Participation in the Activity: Scientific Challenge for Preschool and Primary School Children: Do You Want to Be a Pharmacologist?

During April, a science outreach activity titled “SCIENTIFIC CHALLENGE FOR PRESCHOOL AND PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN: DO YOU WANT TO BE A PHARMACOLOGIST?” was carried out. This activity was funded by the VII Plan Propio de Investigación y Transferencia de la Universidad de Sevilla (US). The event took place at CEPR SAR Infanta Leonor School in Tomares and CEIP Josefa Frías in Santiponce, reaching a total of 700 primary school children and 150 preschool children.

Professor Elena Mª Talero Barrientos, from the Molecular and Applied Pharmacology (CTS-658) group within the Department of Pharmacology at the Faculty of Pharmacy, led this initiative. She was joined by 10 other researchers from the US:

• CTS-659 group: Francisco Javier Ávila Román and Sara García Gil.
• Experimental Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy (CTS-259) group: Marina Sánchez Hidalgo, Mª Ángeles Rosillo Ramírez, Rocío Muñoz García, and María Paredes Sánchez.
• Applied Pharmaceutical Chemistry (FQM-408) group: David Casado Jurado.
• Characterization and Statistical Optimization of Medicines (CTS-547) group: Ángel Salazar González.
• Technical, management, administration, and services staff from the Faculty of Pharmacy: Rocío Gutiérrez Alcántara and Elena Mª Ogalla García.

The activity involved a Scientific Challenge comprising several simple, practical, and dynamic experiments. Students became scientists for a day, performing activities such as measuring the pH of foods, extracting DNA from fruits, microscopic visualization of insects, forming solid spheres from liquids, measuring liquid volumes with laboratory pipettes, and observing an antibiogram to learn about antibiotic resistance. At the end of this engaging experience, participants received an “investigator’s ID card” and various laboratory materials as recognition for their dedication and enthusiasm.