Once again, the Centro de Investigación Mariña (CIM) of the Universidade de Vigo invites the public to discover firsthand the marine science developed in its laboratories through its Open Days, which will take place on 7 and 8 November in the A Laxe area of Vigo. The aim of this initiative is to bring the work of its research staff closer to people of all ages in an engaging, creative, and free-to-access way. With the support of the Xunta de Galicia and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund, the CIM has designed a programme that includes a science fair at the A Laxe shopping centre, guided tours of the Nautilus observatory, an interactive game and a virtual escape room on Friday, and a boat trip and visit to the Estación de Ciencias Mariñas de Toralla (ECIMAT) on Saturday. Through these Open Days, the CIM reinforces its commitment to scientific outreach and environmental education, promoting knowledge and awareness of the importance of the oceans and sustainability. By showcasing the work carried out by its researchers, the CIM also hopes to inspire new generations and foster future scientific vocations.
Get to Know the CIM in the Street
On Friday, 7 November, from 17:00 to 20:30 at the A Laxe Shopping Centre, a series of workshops on different areas of marine research will be held under the title “Get to Know the CIM in the Street.” The activities will be open to families and free of charge, with no prior registration required. There will also be a large-scale game called Aquamission, designed to explore the fascinating world of sustainable aquaculture, as well as a virtual escape room based on the mural created by the CIM together with the Autoridade Portuaria de Vigo and Campus do Mar at the Real Club Náutico de Vigo building. This activity will allow visitors to learn more about the ocean research carried out at the centre in an engaging and educational way, using their mobile phone as the main tool.
At the same time, in collaboration with the Autoridade Portuaria de Vigo (APV), CIM staff will offer guided tours for those interested in the permanent installation and underwater viewer “Nautilus” that the APV has next to the shopping centre. The visits will take place from 16:00 to 18:00 and will require prior registration on the website cienciasingular.gal.
Embark with CIM
Weather permitting, the CIM’s Open Days will begin on Saturday, 8 November, with “Embark with the CIM”: an outreach boat trip around the ría in which registered participants will board a classroom vessel to sail between the A Laxe pier and Toralla Island. During the journey, a series of observation activities will take place, including the collection of sediment and marine organism samples, along with explanations provided by several CIM researchers. Once on the island, participants will enjoy a guided tour of the Estación de Ciencias Mariñas de Toralla (ECIMAT), the main scientific infrastructure of the Centro de Investigación Mariña (CIM) of the Universidade de Vigo. There, they will visit the research laboratories, auxiliary culture rooms, mesocosm facilities, and the pump room. There will be two sessions: the first from 9:00 to 12:00 and the second from 12:00 to 15:15. All interested participants must register in advance on the website cienciasingular.gal.
