Abstract:

The choice of 2007 as the year of the Science has had a multiplier effect in the social diffusion of the Science. However, recent studies show that science is considered less interesting than other subjects, like economy, cinema, art, health or sports. Because of that, it is necessary to remark that in these subjects the scientific activities are keys for its development.

The Chemistry Department of the Universitat de Girona and the Càtedra de Cultura Científica i Comunicació Digital (C4D) have been working in the field of social diffusion of chemistry. In this case, an exposition that spreads the presence of the chemistry in the daily activities, like the practice of the sport, is presented. The cycling has been chosen as a close example, and to allow to the public to discover that there is chemistry everywhere, even in a bicycle. The aim of this exhibition is to motivate students showing daily examples from a scientific point of view. Furthermore, they can learn some interesting concepts of chemistry and materials in a funny way.

The exposition is based in two bicycles and in eleven informative panels. One of the bicycles is the Nichaud, the first model which used pedals, made in 1870, approx. The other bicycle is the actual bike trial World’s champion, the Monty 221 Kamel. These two bicycles are separated by 140 years and show perfectly the evolution of design and materials.

The panels explain the physical and chemical characteristics of all the materials presents in modern bicycles. Wood and iron are substituted by the aluminium or the fibre of carbon, the stainless steel, the titanium or the synthetic polymers, passing through alloys and natural products. The complexity of different materials that forms this apparently simple machine surprises the visitors.

Two panels show interviews with five champions in different bicycle specialities. For example, Ot Pi, 12 times championship of bike trial, Marti Gispert, top 10 and world sub champion in BTT, or Carles Torrent, Olympic bronze medal in Athens in Madison speciality. Their knowledge in high-level competition shows the importance of technical evolution of materials.

The exhibition is a sample of the technological evolution, represented in a daily aspect like it is the practice of the sport, concretely of the cycling. Many people visited the exposition in the three times it has been showed to the society: November, 13th Sant Albert Day, Science Faculty (UdG), November, 15-19th, Science week, Fornells de la Selva and November 20-21, Scientific Trade Fair (UdG). High school are interested in showing the exhibition at their centres. At this moment a web page is created in order that the centres of secondary could request easily the exhibition.

Keywords:

science week, didactic proposal, university education, secondary education, chemistry teaching.