An innovative youth initiative uses augmented and metaverso reality to disseminate the paleontological heritage of the Cider region, connecting science, technology and local participation.
The Cider region becomes a national reference in youth participation and scientific dissemination with the project “With Footprint. Stories of yesterday and today”, an immersive experience developed by the groups of participation of adolescents and young people of Colunga and Villaviciosa, around the paleontological heritage of the Asturian territory.
During a year of collaborative and creative work, young people, with the technical accompaniment of the Cruz de los Ángeles Foundation, have designed two avant -garde didactic tools that combine technology and science to bring paleontology closer to the young public:
- An increased reality app (ra) which allows you to see dinosaurs of the Asturian Jurassic in its original locations. These recreations, with a scientific basis, are presented next to an interactive robot that dialogues with the user, sharing curiosities and anecdotes about prehistoric life in the area.
- An educational metave: Dinorealmvr, a virtual environment with five spaces connected by portals, which recreate real scenarios of the region where paleontological remains have been found. The user can explore and interact with other visitors, promoting collaborative learning and connection with the environment.
This project was presented in February 2025 by the youth groups themselves at the Museum of the Jurassic of Asturias (MUJA), and is currently in the diffusion phase so that both young people and general public can access these innovative resources.
“With footprint” is more than an educational proposal: it is a young look towards the environment, a way of valueing natural heritage and promoting commitment to science and history from active participation. In addition, it offers an intuitive, practical and accessible experience that promotes the knowledge and protection of the Paleontological Heritage of Asturias.
The initiative, promoted from the City of Colunga, has been selected by the Youth Area of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) and the Institute of Youth of Spain (INJUVE) as one of the beneficiary projects of its annual call for aid to programs of public and social interest that promote youth participation in the local level.
Video of the project available on YouTube.
More information: Muja-Ankuos.org.
