More than 64,000 people have taken part in Gara-MOVES, the fourth edition of the educational and outreach programme promoted by IREC. The project has ran from July 2025 to June 2026 with a clear objective: to fight misinformation and fake news on the energy transition, renewable energy and climate change through innovative, itinerant and participatory educational experiences.

During this period, Gara-MOVES reached a total on-site impact of 64,218 people. The travelling exhibition “Gara and the energy around us” recorded 63,984 visitors, while 62 teachers and education professionals participated in specific training activities. In addition, nearly 500 students worked with the project’s educational resources in schools, and 80 people took part in outreach events and activities. The project also produced audiovisual materials that extended its reach beyond in-person activities.

Strong collaboration with local stakeholders such as OCTE Priorat (Tarragona), Almia Energy and the Municipality of Almatret (Lleida) has been key in bringing resources to rural areas. The project has also benefited from strategic collaboration with the Municipalities of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat and Terrassa. Institutional support has been provided by the Fundació Catalana per la Recerca I la Innovació (FCRi), the Institut Català d’Energia (ICAEN) and the Associació de Micropobles de Catalunya.

With Gara-MOVES, IREC reinforces its commitment to inclusive, itinerant and transformative science communication that connects research with society’s real needs. The project shows that tackling misinformation also requires bringing scientific knowledge closer to all territories and communities in a rigorous, accessible and participatory way.

A mobile educational laboratory bringing science closer to citizens

The main novelty of this edition has been the creation of a mobile educational laboratory designed to bring scientific knowledge directly to schools, cultural centres, rural communities and other public spaces.

Through this format, IREC researchers have become science communicators, bringing up-to-date scientific knowledge on energy, sustainability and the energy transition through hands-on and participatory experiences.

The laboratory is structured around an educational toolkit made up of five interactive workshops covering key energy-related concepts: wind and solar energy, batteries, sustainable cities powered by renewables and artificial intelligence. The toolkit also includes the identification of fake news and myths related to these topics from a scientific perspective, as explained in this video. Schools that hosted these workshops include Escola Madorell (Molins de Rei), INS Pla de l’Estany (Banyoles) and Escola Joan XXIII (Lleida).

The exhibition “Gara and the energy around us” reaches new territories

A key component of the project has been the travelling exhibition “Gara and the energy around us”, which has brought scientific content to thousands of visitors.

During the course, the exhibition toured the Delicias Civic Centre (Zaragoza), Joan Oliver “Pere Quart” Civic Centre (Barcelona), Central Library of Terrassa, Sant Josep Cultural Centre in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, and Almia Energy in Almatret (Lleida). This itinerary expanded the project’s territorial reach, bringing energy research closer to diverse audiences and fostering dialogue between science and society.

Continuity of Gara OpenLAB educational kits

The project has also consolidated the legacy of previous editions through the continued use and lending of educational kits developed under Gara OpenLAB.

During the school year, these resources reached 19 educational centres across Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona, enabling teachers and students to work independently on topics related to energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainability. These include:

• In Barcelona: Escola Univers, CEIP Pau Romeva, Escola Font de l’Alba.
• In Girona: INS Pla de l’Estany.
• In Lleida: Escola La Roca, Escola de Torrebesses, Escola La Dula, Escola d’Alfés, Escola de Sunyer, Escola Otogesa, Escola Arc d’Adà, Escola Sant Jaume, Escola de Massalcoreig.
• In Tarragona: INS Priorat, Escola Galena, Institut Escola Corbatera, Escola Serra Major, Escola Llicorella, Escola Montsant.

Recognition in science communication

The quality and innovative nature of the initiative have also been recognised by the science communication sector. In 2025, Gara was selected as a finalist for the Science Communication Awards of the Catalan Association for Science Communication (ACCC) and presented at the final held on 10 December 2025.

A press release was launched today in Catalan (CAT) and Spanish (ES):

Acknowledgements (in Spanish): Gara MOVES (FCT-24-21480) cuenta con la colaboración de la Fundación Española para la Ciencia y la Tecnología – Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades.