Sign in
A LOESS Teacher Brings Soil Science to the Global Stage!
Can a high school teacher and her student reduce urban flood risks using plants and smart tech?
Ana Yuste, a high school teacher from Consuegra (Toledo, Spain) who collaborates on the LOESS project, and her student have been awarded first place in the Spanish Society of Soil Sciences competition. Their project, which explores how landscape plant species can improve soil structure and enhance water infiltration, has earned them the honour of representing Spain at the Symposium on Educational Innovation in Soil Sciences in Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia) this June.
Over the past year, Ana and her student investigated how certain plants improve the soil's water absorption, reducing flood risks in urban areas. Using Arduino technology, they built a moisture meter to measure water infiltration rates for twelve different species. This data was then analysed with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) for better flood management.
The project is directly inspired by the LOESS project, a European Union-funded programme dedicated to soil health recovery and increased soil literacy. LOESS emphasises educational innovation in soil science, showcasing soil's role in climate resilience and sustainable urban planning. Ana's initiative also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, demonstrating how nature-based solutions can mitigate urban flooding.
At the upcoming Symposium, Ana will share her project on an international stage, further promoting LOESS's mission to support communities in understanding and protecting soil as a vital natural resource.
Scientix® is proud to celebrate this achievement, which not only highlights the educational impact of the LOESS project but also inspires climate resilience through hands-on learning. Congratulations to Ana and her student for representing Spain and LOESS in Bolivia!