Students from Unesc College conduct ecotoxicity testing on soils from a community garden at Iparque

The 2nd year high school students from Unesc College, part of the Natural Sciences Educational Pathway (IFA), participated in a practical scientific initiation activity in the laboratories of the institution's Scientific and Technological Park (Iparque). 

Linked to the Educa Mais Extension Project, the initiative collected and prepared soil extracts from the garden of Judith Duarte School, located in the Sangão neighborhood, to assess potential biological effects and risks arising from coal mining activities in the region.

"The onion test serves as an evaluation tool for possible biological effects associated with the analyzed sample and is part of the investigation process developed by the project," reports Professor Elídio Angioletto.

The applied research seeks to address a concrete demand for food security and environmental health of the school community served. The laboratory ecotoxicology activity was coordinated by Professor Michele Coral Dutra, with technical collaboration from Professor Elídio Angioletto, allowing the young students to conduct complex biological assays using onion bulbs as bioindicators.

"The initiative provided students with a concrete approach to the production of scientific knowledge, allowing them to experience the stages of research, from sample collection and preparation to conducting assays in a laboratory environment," emphasized Professor Michele Coral Dutra.

The student research team consisted of students Raissa Frello, Anastácia Clemente, Emily Flores, and Pietra Bazi, with technical and pedagogical support from Guilherme Spindola Pacheco, an intern from the Biological Sciences program at Unesc. 

"The data obtained in this analytical stage will serve as a basis to support new environmental investigations and inform the necessary soil management decisions in the partner school's community garden," explained the intern.