From left to right you can see in the image Ivan, Marcos, Antonio the professor and Sergio at the Google facilities when they went to collect the prize as winners Google Science Fair.
In Peques and Más we are very happy to have been able to make a interview with the three young winners after having had their teacher Antonio Guillén to which we also thank you for facilitating contact with the three students.
In the interview we talked about how was the winning experience, from how they deal with science, from what goals do they have in the short and medium term and how they use technology in their classes. The interview is published showing the responses received from each student indicating their name at the beginning Iván, Sergio and Marcos.
How did you hear about the Google Science Fair contest and how did you prepare for the competition
Ivan: Antonio warned us that a contest was going to be held worldwide but that we had little time so we would have to work hard to prepare everything. We had to make a two minute video and then explain the project and things about us on a basis they gave you.
Sergio: We learned thanks to our professor Antonio Guillén when there was little time to send the material about our project. Therefore we had to work very hard those days recording to send presentation videos and all the information.
frames: We learned thanks to our professor Antonio, who received an email informing him about the contest. He proposed it to us although he warned us that we had to work hard that week because the deadline is over and we did so. For this, we carried out step by step what we were required to enter the contest: videos, presentation, exhibition, etc.
How was the experience of the celebration with the Google Prize
Ivan: the truth is that there was no celebration, that night we were all the finalists playing in the Crash Pad we had. This trip has given us even more desire to continue with our project and expand it.
frames: The prize was given to us in California. In California we were presenting the project and when we finished the exhibition, there was an awards ceremony / ceremony, that's when we knew we had won. We could not believe it when our photo came out with the names on the screen. We stayed of stone and little by little we assimilated it. Respectively traveling to California and knowing Google was phenomenal, a unique experience. It was amazing the truth.
What impression Google caused you
Ivan: the trip to Google was GREAT, we visited the facilities and saw all the facilities that are given to the workers. They have a volleyball court, bicycles to get around the campus and many more amenities. Before going I saw a documentary to go something more aware of the story and how it is. I think I could not say what I liked the most since everything was amazing. I was a little disappointed that they did not show us the famous slide.
frames: We were in the Google headquarters for a few days. One of them I remember that we were taught and we got on a prototype of a car that was driving alone, we saw the facilities and how the people who work there moved outside with the bikes of the headquarters. I liked the organization and distribution of the rooms. I also really liked an armchair in which you could sleep, it seemed very comfortable.
Is experimentation in the laboratory as important as Antonio says?
Ivan: I think so, that when you experience you get results and that motivates.
Sergio: since childhood I have been passionate about biology. It is important to work in the laboratory because it is where you learn, using the material, visualizing the different organisms under a microscope and then photographing and classifying them. Also using the different sensors that we have used to measure the physical-chemical factors, etc.
frames: I liked the sciences since I was a child, whether by a more technological or biological branch. As Antonio says the practices are important because they have helped us to know laboratory equipment, to handle instruments such as microscopes and many more tasks.
What information do you consult to meet your demands for knowledge of science?
Ivan: On my own I do not usually look for videos on YouTube or television programs about Science. If there is any discovery or something that interests me I search on the Internet.
frames: We have consulted pages such as the water project created by the teacher where there are many videos. Also through YouTube and then the occasional book or encyclopedia.
How are you using technology in your training and education process?
Ivan: in class the only technology we use, and only occasionally, are computers.
frames: In the institute we used projectors, computers, microscopes, handwriting boards, etc. At home I accessed different pages from laptop, tablet, etc.
What training needs you identify and believe that they could be taught with more emphasis in school
Ivan: The most fun and interesting of the classes are, from my point of view, experiments and debates.
Sergio: It is a good idea to participate in class although it is embarrassing. What happens is that if we don't say what we know, we don't learn. And so, when we are wrong, teachers correct us to continue learning.
frames: At the beginning, if I tell you the truth, I was ashamed to speak in front of TVs and radios in case you were missing something, but little by little you gain confidence and is good for communication. A class with student interventions is a better class because it makes you less boring and more interesting. It is better than when the teacher puts the autopilot with the agenda.
How are you responding to the challenges of the Baccalaureate of Science
Ivan: this course we are in 1st year of high school. At the moment we are doing a little room review so it is not so difficult, we will have to see when we start to enter new matter.
Sergio: We have just started high school and I think it will be hard (I hope not) because to do the bachelor's degree that I am doing, which is the science (biology), I have had to change my Center. It costs at the beginning to adapt to the new center, new teachers, new subjects although I hope it goes well.
frames: This year I have completed 1st baccalaureate at Tomas Mingot. The different subjects with other high school graduates that I have are Industrial Technology, Technical Drawing, Mathematics and Physics and Chemistry. It is called technological scientific bachelor. We have been told by all the teachers that the chip needs to be changed, that more cane is put in and that studies and homework must be carried out day by day. And it is true, it is more difficult and you have to study more.
What do you expect from the future
Ivan: I think life is going around a lot, so I haven't considered it yet. Yes, I would like to travel abroad (study or work for a couple of years) since I learn a lot, both languages and cultures and other ways of seeing things.
Sergio: As I said before I really like biology and now in high school I have chosen this subject as an elective. I would like to continue studying at the University, and I wouldn't mind if it was in other cities. When I finish my career I would like to have a job where I have to travel all over the world. A week to study this ecosystem in France, for example. Although I would also like to continue studying the life of water, since it is a very nice project from which a lot of performance could be obtained.
frames: I go little by little. First I want to get my bachelor's degree, once approved I will have time to eat my head to choose the University. The race is not yet clear and the site is not. I would like to study outside of Spain although I would not mind working or studying here either. The work I have is going to be related to Science, I have that very clear.
So far the interview with Iván, Sergio and Marcos. Three high school students with a focus on Science and with very clear ideas.
I give you the thanks Iván, Sergio and Marcos For your generosity in the answers and I hope you have many successes in your studies. And of course, I wish you can achieve your dreams.
In Peques and More | Antonio Guillén, Professor of Biology: "any experimentation activity penetrates deeply among the students"
