Llucmajor has hosted an innovative activity as part of the initiatives organised by eMallorca Experience. These initiatives always focus on raising awareness among young people of the importance of caring for the environment. On this occasion, the event was eBlue Challenge Llucmajor, an educational and fun experience designed to raise awareness of a resource as vital as water.
With the strong support of the Llucmajor Town Council and involving a total of 558 pupils from various schools in Llucmajor, the eBlue Challenge took place on S’Arenal beach, specifically at the start of Avinguda Miramar, between 9.15 am and 1.30 pm. The primary schools CEIP Rei Jaume III, Son Verí, S’Algar, Badies and Urbanitzacions, and the secondary schools Sant Viçent de Paul and Sant Bonaventura, arrived on foot or by coach from different areas to take part in a day that promoted respect for the natural environment and, in particular, for water, through a range of activities that were as varied as they were interesting.
The children, from Years 4, 5 and 6 of primary school, enjoyed workshops on the responsible use of water, on waste recycling and on habits that respect nature, such as sustainable transport. Through games and experiences packed with useful information, they learnt to look after the environment and not to waste something as vital to life as water. The technical and human resources deployed for this eco-day included a large area of marquees where the activities were held. There were nine activities in total, through which the pupils rotated in small groups, spending around 15 minutes at each one, during a morning packed with fun and useful knowledge.
Firstly, participants were able to experience the Energy Generation Challenge, an area where several exercise bikes capable of generating electricity helped them understand how their own effort can be a source of energy. Another activity was the Recycling Knowledge Challenge, in which they were encouraged to take part in a fun physical relay race whilst also learning how to recycle various types of waste correctly.
Sustainable mobility was the theme of the following sessions: a talk and demonstration on the potential of functional and sustainable electric vehicles and another talk on the mobility of the future, supported by audiovisual material. Several organisations also took part in the event, sharing their expertise with the students. These included the Club Nàutic de s’Estanyol, which ran a practical session on sailing knots; the Club Nàutic de s’Arenal, with a workshop on nautical navigation using a compass and how to hoist a sail; and the Associació Alzinaires de Llucmajor, which ran a varied workshop on responsibility at sea, nautical knots, the environment and the parts of the llaüt, the traditional Mallorcan boat.
Finally, the students were able to learn first-hand about water management in Llucmajor from various experts who gave a talk on water treatment and its natural cycle. The benefits of a healthy and organic diet were also explained to the hundreds of children, whilst they refuelled with a healthy snack consisting of locally sourced fresh fruit and water.
Llucmajor Town Council was key to the success of this eBlue Challenge, providing all the necessary coordination and human and material resources. Tents, tables and chairs to ensure the participants’ comfort, as well as signage and safety equipment, were provided by the council, which from the outset was actively involved in the organisation of the eBlue Challenge Llucmajor and recognised its educational and environmental value.
The event was attended by the Mayor of Llucmajor, María Francisca Lascolas, accompanied by several councillors: Catalina Rayó, Councillor for Citizen Services in s’Arenal, Tourism and Culture; Maria Cristina Pomar, Councillor for Social Services, the Elderly, Housing and Education; Antonio Cayuela, Councillor for Human Resources and the Civil Service; Neus Marí, Councillor for Youth, Equality and Employment; Inmaculada Pérez, Councillor for Urban Maintenance, Urban Planning and Infrastructure; Raúl Domínguez, Councillor for Mobility; and Manuel Piñeiro, Councillor for Trade, Markets, Business and Consumer Affairs.
All of them agreed, from their respective areas of responsibility, on the impact of the event, but Mayor Lascolas particularly emphasised that “this first edition of the eBlue Challenge, with almost 600 children from across the municipality has been a resounding success. We have benefited from the significant participation of the Club Nàutic de s’Arenal, the Club Nàutic de s’Estanyol, the Associació Alzinaires and the company Aqualia, making this apublic-private event dedicated to education. Through it, we promote the values of environmental protection, recycling, the importance of water and clean energy”. On a separate note, he noted that the eBlue Challenge “has added so much more to all this, and by holding it we have given an extra boost to this type of initiative”.
Regarding the involvement of Llucmajor Town Council in promoting environmental values, Lascolas added that “throughout the school year, the municipality’s schools carry out all kinds of environmental activities, and the various departments of the Town Council collaborate with them by providing all the materials they may need, or even the assistance of the municipal brigade itself”.
With its high level of participation and the diverse topics covered, this event will mark a milestone in environmental education, by uniting the efforts of the public and private sectors towards a common goal. It is worth noting that the eBlue Challenge was made possible thanks to the Llucmajor Town Council; the Department of Enterprise, Employment and Energy of the Government of the Balearic Islands and BYD Quadis Dream, with the special collaboration of Qwello, the Saica Foundation, Viveros Can Juanico, TBC, Aqualia, S’Estanyol Yacht Club, S’Arenal Yacht Club and the Alzinaires Association.