🌱 EduBiota at BioBlitz Serralves: revealing the invisible life of the soil

Lara Amorim
2 days ago
2 min read

EduBiota took part in the 12th edition of BioBlitz Serralves, the largest biodiversity awareness event held in Portugal, promoted by the Serralves Foundation.

Aimed at the educational community, families, and the general public, BioBlitz stands out as a leading scientific and educational initiative, bringing together science, environmental education, biodiversity, and sustainability. Over the course of a spring week, the event transforms Serralves Park into a space for discovery, through exploratory approaches that connect science, art, and culture, fostering active participation in the appreciation and protection of ecosystems.

In 2026, BioBlitz takes place from April 20 to 26, with a programme especially dedicated to soil, recognising it as a key element for the future of the planet. This edition also includes the Soil Festival, part of the European project Soilscape, strengthening the dialogue between science, art, and citizenship, and aligning with European initiatives such as the Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe.”

🔬 From the invisible to the visible: an approach to the soil microbiome

Within this thematic programme, EduBiota is delivering a workshop dedicated to the soil microbiome, structured around three complementary moments:

Observation of different soils, exploring characteristics such as colour, texture, and organic matter as indirect indicators of life;
Analysis of microbial cultures, enabling the visualisation of microbial diversity through colonies grown on Petri dishes;
Exploration of interactions between microorganisms and plants, highlighting the role of mycorrhizae in water and nutrient uptake.

This last component is directly aligned with Activity 5 of EduBiotaLab, which focuses on understanding plant–microorganism interactions, particularly mycorrhizal associations. In line with this activity, participants are challenged to interpret evidence and construct explanations about the role of microorganisms in nutrient uptake and in the functioning of soil–plant systems.

The approach adopted—from the invisible to the visible, and subsequently to the functional—enables participants to understand that soil is a living, dynamic system that is essential for ecosystem balance.

👩‍🔬 Active engagement and critical thinking

Students from 5th to 11th grade have visited the EduBiota stand, actively engaging in the activities and asking insightful questions—not only about the scientific content, but also about pathways and careers in science.

This engagement highlights not only the participants’ scientific curiosity, but also a growing awareness of the role of soil microorganisms in sustainable agriculture and in maintaining ecosystem health.

🌍 Education for sustainability

EduBiota’s participation in this event reinforces the project’s commitment to promoting microbiological literacy and education for sustainability, in alignment with the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goal “Life on Land”.

By bringing participants closer to fundamental scientific concepts through hands-on and contextualised experiences, EduBiota contributes to a more informed and critical understanding of contemporary environmental challenges, particularly regarding soil conservation and resilience.