PRESENTATIONS AND MATERIALS PRESENTED IN GRAN CANARIA
Video that was used to introduce all the activities to our visitors in Gran Canaria- created by AI.
We were presented with this so extense program of planned activities to be done in Gran Canaria to learn more about the importance of taking care of water.
Some snapshots of our mobility to Spain- by the Spanish and Portuguese team
EXPERIMENTING WITH WATER
As part of our student-led scientific activities, the 1st Baccalaureate students of IES Santa Lucía in Gran Canaria designed and prepared a series of hands-on experiments to be carried out with our hosted students. These experiments focused on water and its properties. These students carefully prepared a series of interactive experiments to engage and educate their hosted peers on water quality and environmental science. By taking the lead in both planning and execution, the students not only deepened their own understanding but also created a collaborative learning experience, making science more accessible and engaging.
In our students' mobility (LTTA) to Spain, they had the opportunity to present some scientific experiments in which water was the main element. All these experiments aimed to explore and demonstrate fundamental scientific principles related to water, including its behavior in different physical and chemical contexts. Through these experiments, students were able to investigate topics such as buoyancy, pressure, conductivity, solubility, and surface tension, enhancing their understanding of the versatile role water plays in scientific phenomena.
1. Floating Drawing
2. Pressure Bomb – Boyle’s Law
3. Chasing Pepper
4. Capillarity
5. Soap Bubbles
6. How to make a pine cone open
7. Study of the internal structure of different substances based on their conductivity
8. Liquid mixtures
9. Liquid (Water) mixtures with solids to determine their solubility
VISITING HEREDAD DE AGUA OF SARDINA
In Gran Canaria, the term "Heredad" refers to a traditional agricultural organization or landholding system, specifically focused on water distribution and management. It is a collective system in which water from natural sources like rivers or springs is distributed to different plots of land used for agriculture. The word "Heredad" comes from "heredar", meaning "to inherit," as the system was often passed down through generations.
In these systems, water is considered a communal resource, and the landholders or members of the Heredad have collective responsibility for managing, maintaining, and sharing the water. This model was historically essential for irrigation in regions with scarce water resources, like the arid parts of Gran Canaria.
La Heredad Acequia Alta de Sardina del Sur is one of the most significant traditional water management systems in the southern part of Gran Canaria, specifically in the Sardina del Sur area. The Acequia Alta is a type of irrigation canal or watercourse that brings water from higher altitudes (such as mountains or springs) down to lower agricultural lands in Sardina del Sur. This canal system was designed to ensure that the water was distributed efficiently to the farming community in a fair and organized manner.
The Acequia Alta serves as an essential lifeline for the irrigation of crops in the region. Gran Canaria's southern areas are arid and receive limited rainfall, so the proper distribution of water for agriculture is crucial. Through the Heredad system, water is allocated according to the needs of different landowners, ensuring that all farmers have access to the water needed for crops like tomatoes, potatoes, and fruits.
The Heredad system was designed to distribute water in a way that is sustainable for all members of the community. Traditionally, each member has a share of water rights, and the distribution is organized in a rotational system or based on the time of year. This system fosters cooperation among farmers and reduces conflicts over water usage, making it a valuable practice in water-scarce regions.
The Heredad system, particularly in places like Sardina del Sur, has been used for centuries. It represents not just an agricultural practice, but also a cultural heritage that links the communities of Gran Canaria to their land and water resources. These systems demonstrate how communities have adapted over time to manage limited water resources through collaboration and shared responsibility.
The system also plays a role in environmental conservation by ensuring that water is used efficiently. It avoids waste and encourages farmers to work together to maintain the canals, sometimes through communal efforts. Moreover, by keeping the traditional irrigation system alive, it helps maintain the unique landscape and ecosystems that rely on these water sources.
Guayadeque is a significant valley and area in Gran Canaria, not only for its natural beauty but also for its historical and environmental importance related to water management. Located between the municipalities of Ingenio and Agüimes, Guayadeque is known for its unique landscape, including deep ravines, cliffs, and caves. It has been an essential resource for water management on the island for centuries.
Guayadeque has been home to several natural springs and watercourses, which have historically provided a reliable source of freshwater to the surrounding areas. The valley's unique geological formations have allowed the formation of water storage reservoirs and underground aquifers, which were crucial in a region where water scarcity is a common challenge. These natural water sources have been harnessed for irrigation, agriculture, and even drinking water for local communities.
Guayadeque has been part of traditional water management systems on Gran Canaria. In the past, tunnels, canals, and qanats (underground irrigation systems) were built to direct water from Guayadeque’s springs to the agricultural fields, especially in the areas below the valley. These irrigation systems were fundamental in cultivating crops in this dry and arid region.
The Heredad system, which is widespread in Gran Canaria, likely involved water from the Guayadeque valley, as it was part of the larger network of water-sharing structures. Local farmers and landowners would depend on the regulated distribution of water from these natural resources.
In addition to its role in agriculture, Guayadeque holds cultural significance in Canary Island history. The valley and its surroundings were home to the ancient Berber-like settlers of Gran Canaria, the Canarii. These early inhabitants utilized the natural landscape for water storage and agriculture, adapting the environment to meet their needs in a dry climate. Many of their techniques, such as building cave dwellings and using the natural flow of water, contributed to long-term survival in the harsh conditions
Today, Guayadeque continues to be a vital part of Gran Canaria’s water conservation efforts. Its ravines, which have been carved over millennia, still play a role in collecting rainwater and filtering it into underground water reserves, contributing to the island’s water supply. Moreover, the area is now a protected natural park, ensuring the preservation of its environment, which includes its vital water sources. This protected status helps maintain the balance between human use and the conservation of the ecosystem.
Visiting Poema del Mar, a renowned aquarium in Gran Canaria, can be highly valuable for a project like "Do Not Let Water Leave Us", which emphasizes the importance of water for both humans and animals. Here’s how it aligns with the project's goals:
Showcasing Biodiversity dependence on Water.
Raising awareness about wanter conservation.
Understanding ecosystem interconecttions.
Promoting sustainable practices.
Poema del Mar houses a wide range of marine and freshwater species, demonstrating how water ecosystems support diverse life forms.
Visitors can witness firsthand the fragile balance of aquatic environments and how water is essential for survival.
Exhibits at the aquarium highlight the threats to marine life, including pollution, climate change, and water scarcity.
This can help reinforce the project's message that preserving water resources is crucial not just for human use but for the entire ecosystem.
The aquarium’s different zones (jungle, deep sea, and reef) illustrate how terrestrial and aquatic environments are linked through the water cycle.
It reinforces the idea that protecting water sources benefits both land and marine life.
Poema del Mar advocates for marine conservation and responsible water use, inspiring visitors to take action in their daily lives.
The project can integrate these principles, encouraging sustainable water management for all species' well-being.
Salinas are salt flats or saltworks—places where salt is extracted from seawater through evaporation. They typically consist of shallow ponds or basins where seawater is collected and left to evaporate under the sun, leaving behind crystallized salt. This process is a sustainable and ancient method of salt production that has been used for centuries.
There are different types of salinas:
Coastal Salinas – Like Las Salinas del Tenefé, these use seawater as their source of salt.
Inland Salinas – Found near salt lakes or underground saltwater sources.
Artificial Salinas – Modern salt farms that may use controlled evaporation techniques.
In the context of our project, salinas are relevant because they demonstrate how water can be used efficiently without being wasted.
Visiting Las Salinas del Tenefé in Gran Canaria for our project is relevant because these salt flats highlight traditional water management and conservation practices. The site demonstrates how seawater is carefully collected, evaporated, and transformed into salt, showcasing an ancient yet sustainable way of using water resources efficiently.
The main objectives to be fulfilled when visiting this place are:
🧂 Conservation – The salt flats exemplify how water is strategically used and preserved, aligning with the project's focus on preventing water loss.
🧂 Practices – Traditional salt production relies on natural evaporation, emphasizing sustainable water use without excessive waste.
🧂 Historical and Cultural Significance – The site provides insight into historical water-related industries in Gran Canaria, showing how communities have long adapted to scarce water resources.
🧂 Environmental awareness– Visiting the salt flats can inspire discussions on climate change, water scarcity, and the need for sustainable water management in modern times.
After all this hard work, we deserved our certificates.