Government of the Azores is partner of the new Laboratory of Renewable Energy in Ponta Delgada
The Regional Director for Science and Technology pointed out in Ponta Delgada the importance of creating spaces for the experimental learning of science and technology as well as for the promotion of awareness-raising for ecological sustainability, through partnerships between the Regional Government, educational institutions and entities as EDA Renováveis, Afonso de Chaves Society and Science Observatories.
Bruno Pacheco spoke at the opening of the Laboratory of Renewable Energy and Ecology, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Robotics of Canto da Maia Basic Education School. This project is the result of an agreement signed in June between the school and various entities; the Government of the Azores is its main partner.
The Regional Director praised the creation of this type of partnership projects in which the school opens itself to the community. He stressed that, during the current legislative period, the Government of the Azores "aims to continue with the implementation of this type of projects," namely through the "creation of, at least, one project of reference in each school that will mobilise the resources of Azorean entities."
For Bruno Pacheco, the focus on the practical aspects of teaching not only contributes to the academic success of children and young Azoreans, but also to their social success.
In turn, the Regional Director for Energy emphasised the importance of this Laboratory insofar as it is a project that "promotes education together with applied research and experimental learning. It is focused on the energy sector and is based on science and technology."
For Andreia Carreiro, this project "meets the conditions deemed necessary to raise the awareness of young people for the importance of using and consuming energy efficiently and promoting energy efficiency." In this context, he emphasised that these are "essential factors for effective sustainable growth."
The Regional Director for Education also attended the opening of this new Laboratory at Canto da Maia Basic Education School. In his speech, he called for the urgency of continuing the fight against school failure, noting that the Government of the Azores, "aware of this reality," created the ProSucesso programme.
For José Freire, the "improvement of teaching practices, scientific literacy and the implementation of practical knowledge' in schools are imperative to the provision of quality education at all educational levels." In this context, he pointed out the creation of structures such as the Laboratory of Renewable Energy.
The Laboratory of Renewable Energy is directed to the students attending Canto da Maia School in the elementary and middle school levels as well as to all schools with interest in these areas, with special emphasis on students with special educational needs and students enrolled in alternative programmes, who are facing situations of absenteeism and failure at school. Moreover, it is also open to students attending other schools aged between 6 and 13.