The aim of this project is to explain scientific concepts quickly and understandably through short cartoon videos. The topics chosen supplement the series Talent URV

The Universitat Rovira i Virgili’s Unit of Scientific Communication has completed a new edition of scientific videos Science in 1 minute. The series responds in less than 60 seconds to scientific doubts using cartoon illustrations. University researchers have advised on the content of these short audiovisuals, which have been posted on YouTube in Catalan, Spanish and English.

“Where do red tides come from?”, “What does a catalyst do?”, “What is bullying and how can you prevent it at school?”, “How do you produce energy from hydrogen?”. These are just some of the questions that the animated illustrations of the series Science in 1 minute try to answer. With a clear, modern style, a focus on scientific rigour and the support of graphic animation each chapter provides a simple explanation for a scientific concept that is studied by one of the University’s research groups. The aim of the project is to make science – in all its forms – more accessible and understandable to all sorts of people.

The videos are available to anybody who wishes to see them, and they have been designed as a teaching tool that can be used to explain scientific concepts not only to primary- and secondary-school pupils but also to university students and the general public.

In 2017 10 new videos were produced to answer the following questions: “Where do red tides come from?”, “Why are polyphenols beneficial?”, “What is bullying and how can you prevent it at school?”, “What do sensors measure?”, “What are intermediate tenancies?”, “What does a catalyst do?”, “What is microencapsulation for?”, “What are mass sequencing technologies?” “How do you produce energy from hydrogen?”, “Why do we find personalised advertising on Internet?”

The videos, which are also available in Spanish and English, were produced with the support of the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) and more recordings are planned for 2018.

Talent URV

The episodes of Science in 1 minute also supplement the topics that are explained in another series, Talent URV, which uses a variety of formats to discuss scientific topics that are studied at the URV. It aims to report the work that is done by the researchers in videos, written articles and the social networks. The leading characters, from a variety of disciplines, have chosen the URV for their careers and they have been attracted here by programmes for recruiting talent.