During the month of September, preparations were made in Madrid for the European Researchers’ Night, in wich the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Summer Energy Poverty Agents and Asociación de Bienestar y Desarrollo (ABD) from Madrid participated on September 30th. The Cooltorise project research team participated and collaborated in the coordination and assembly of the exhibition in the central hall of the Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid (E.T.S.A.M.) and in the activities of the European Researchers’ Night.
Beforehand, dissemination activities were carried out in the senior citizens’ centres in order to invite citizens to take part in this day. All the senior citizens’ centres in the Usera district participated, as follows: Arturo Pajuelo, Evangelios, José Manuel Bringas, Loyola de Palacio, Orcasur, San Filiberto and Zofío. With a total attendance of 90 people, mostly older adults, they were picked up at previously coordinated points to be transported by bus to the facilities of the E.T.S.A.M., where they were received by researchers, Summer Energy Poverty Agents (SEPAs), teachers and the rector of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Guillermo Cisneros. Due to the large number of attendees, 6 groups were formed so that it was possible to attend the different activities on a rotating basis.
The event was divided into three parts: the first part consisted of a visit to the laboratories, facilities, and materials of the E.T.S.A.M. and the Escuela Técnica Superior de Edificación de Madrid (E.T.S.E.M.). Then, energy culture workshops were given, which consisted of a brief presentation of the Cooltorise project and awareness-raising about summer energy poverty, as well as sharing recommendations and notions about energy culture. In this activity gifts for the heat were handed out. Workshops on energy bills conducted by ABD also took place on the event. Finally, a visit to the exhibition in the central hall on thermal well-being, which aimed to raise awareness of the importance of the urban microclimate on the comfort of homes.
Then, during the afternoon, the activities moved to the South Campus of the UPM at the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería y Sistemas de Telecomunicación (E.T.S.I.S.T.), where from 17:30 until 20:30 hrs, collaborative mapping workshops, scientific experiment workshops and CoolKids workshops were held.
In Barcelona, the Cooltorise team attended a Fair of entities organised by the Education faculty of the Barcelona University on the 22nd of September, with the aim of engaging more volunteers and raising awareness about the energy poverty effects and impact in summer.
The fair provided opportunities for the students to know different organisations and initiatives in and promote their academical, institutional or social participation.
During the day, the ABD and Ecoserveis team explained what is energy poverty and its effects during the summertime, the activities of the Cooltorise project aimed at households, children and public space and the engagement options for the students to join.
