Outstanding students in science from the Scole Creare School in Temuco participated in the celebration of Fascination for Plants Day organized by the Agriaquaculture Nutritional Genomic Center, CGNA, in the framework of the initiative at the international level that took place simultaneously in 39 countries on Friday, May 18th.

The young people worked in the laboratories of the Genomic and Bioinformatics Unit of CGNA (located at INIA Carillanca), working with the researchers in extracting DNA from leaves, observing plants under microscope and magnifying glass, as well as learning about diverse processes through which key plant compounds for animal and human nutrition are extracted.

Click on this image to see the international activities.

The activity is called "From seed to food" and the students could also participate in a talk and interact with CGNA scientists.

Professor Marianet Zerené stated that "for the students it is an unforgettable experience to be working in a laboratory, learn about the greenhouses, talk with scientists and see the importance of plants and the improvement work undertaken in this center. They are very encouraged to continue deepening their knowledge in this area that they enjoyed greatly".

For his part, CGNA's Research and Development Director, Dr. Haroldo Salvo, stated "it is very important that children and young people are aware of the vital role that plants play in life on our planet and in food security given that we depend on plants. They are the basis of our nourishment. Because of this it is especially relevant that at the international level more than 500 institutions in 39 countries joined in showing the fascination of plants".

AT THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS

Fascination for Plants Day was celebrated on Friday, May 18 in 39 countries, sponsored by the European Plant Science Organization (EPSO). In total, 560 institutions, among them 10 Chilean organizations, held different outreach activities that day related to plants, agriculture, conservation of the environment, biodiversity, education and art, with the aim of showing the importance of plants in the life on the Earth.

The Chilean institutions that took part were: CGNA (national coordinator), the Center for Advanced Studies in Arid Zones (CEAZA), the Explora-Araucania-UFRO Program, the National Botanical Garden, the Mirador Interactive Museum (MIM), the Universidad Católica de Maule (Forestry Department of the Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences), the Universidad de Chile (Department of Biology of the Faculty of Sciences), the Universidad Santo Tomás (Santiago campus), the Universidad de Talca (Department of Social University Responsibility and the Botanical Garden) and the Universidad de Magallanes.

Loreto Moya, the journalist in charge of CGNA communications and the national coordinator of the initiative, stated, "without doubt the participation de Chile was very good and motivating. The activities extended from La Serena to Punta Arenas with diverse institutions. We hope that the next year we can add more initiatives and involve more people in the country in the fascination for plants".

More information: www.plantday12.eu

Contact  Loreto.moya@cgna.cl  @PlantDay2012