An experience on: how to disseminate scientific knowledge to the community

Seixas, Sónia; Martinho, Marco; Fonseca, Ricardo

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.2/14266

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Authors

Seixas, Sónia

Martinho, Marco

Fonseca, Ricardo

Abstract(s)

In Portugal, aquariophilia is a popular hobby but fish frequently dye in home aquariums because of lack of knowledge. It is frequent, even in some shops, to see species of different environments and requirements together or predators and preys being put together. So it is necessary to teach people in how to properly set up an aquarium, taking care of it, choosing the correct species to put together, the water chemistry, and so on. There is much literature on the subject in the market, but in foreign languages and sometimes using a scientific language not understood by the common hobbyist. So it was decided to put forward an action in the biggest animal fair in Portugal. In order to accomplish this, another Portuguese association in the hobby was contacted, as well as a university and we had the support of the fair organization. A workshop was set forth during the two afternoons of the weekend of the fair. Normally the public would come to the fair to see different species and to buy some animals and related products. To attract people a stand was established in the middle of the exhibition area with chairs, a projector and sound equipment and was surrounded by several aquariums with different environments in a total of 72 m2. The public reaction was above our expectations, all chairs were occupied and there was public assisting standing up. Because of the success of this workshop, included as an attraction event in the fair, the organization of the fair are interested in doing something similar this year and other local fairs are inviting the association to promote other events.

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.2/14266

Citation

Seixas, S., Martinho, M., Fonseca, R., 2009. An experience on: How to disseminate scientific knowledge to the community. Proceedings of 6th International Conference on Hands-on-Science, Science for all: Quest of Excellence. October 27-31. Ahmedabad, India. 304-305.