2006

¡Hagamos un MILAGRO! 2006


Considering the importance of making future generations aware of the environmental situation we are now facing and of the relevance of their involvement in such matters, the MILAGRO 2006 Campaign organized a pilot contest aimed at high school students. The "¡Hagamos un MILAGRO por el aire!" contest had two different categories:

-poster (for junior high students) and
-essay (for senior high students).

This pilot contest will be used as a tool to gather information relevant to the organization of this type of activities in the future, and of this target audience in particular (their perceptions about air pollution, of its possible solutions and their own role in such actions).  A total of 46 schools were invited to participate in the contests (12 public and 12 private highschools for junior highschool (posters), and 20 public and 12 private senior highschools (essays). The schools represent the different educational alternatives that are available in this city.

The response we got from the schools and their students was much better than expected: We received a total of 176 posters and 34 essays. (307 persons participated in the poster contest and 46 in the essay; this makes a total of 353students plus the teachers that guided them). The juries of both contests were formed by experts in air pollution, environmental issues, communication, graphic design, pedagogy and environmental education.  It was very difficult for the juries to decide which work in each category deserved the prizes. Most proposals were of high quality and creative, and were good candidates for the awards. Finally, the jury decided to award not only the three prizes, but also to recognize other very good posters and essays with honorary recognitions.

Objectives.

  • Encouraging the education of students regarding the scientific and technical aspects of air pollution in megacities, its impact both in human beings and the ecosystems, and its possible solutions.
  • To promote in such students a broader interest towards the environment. We strongly believe that in order to address environmental problems we must follow an interdisciplinary approach. We hence need to promote the formation of experts in science, engineering, economy, and many other fields of knowledge who work together as interdisciplinary teams towards a common goal: environmental improvement.