The Council for Innovation,  Science and Initiative is  sponsoring the Red de Espacios de Divulgación Científica y Técnica de Andalucía (RECTA), a non-profit association which attempts to foster public interest and awareness in science and technology.

The Network  hub  is the  Parque de las Ciencias  in Granada.  Although RECTA is an Andalusia programme founded by 14 science and technology research public information centres,  it is an association open to new projects and entities devoted to the diffusion of science and technology in our community.

 Each province has a representative in RECTA, the founding members of which are:

• Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa de la Junta de Andalucía (Sevilla)
• Parque de las Ciencias (Granada)
• Museo "El Dique" - Navantia (Cádiz)
• Real Instituto y Observatorio de la Armada (Cádiz)
• Museo del Mundo Marino (Huelva)
• Parque Minero de Riotinto (Huelva)
• Instituto Municipal de Gestión Medioambiental "Jardín Botánico" (Córdoba)
• Centro de Ciencia "Principia" (Málaga)
• Museo Preindustrial de la Caña de Azúcar (Granada)
• CIEMAT: Plataforma Solar de Almería (Almería)
• Centro Astronómico Hispano Alemán, A.I.E. - Observatorio de Calar Alto (Almería)
• Proyecto "Ciencia y Cultura del Olivar" (Jaén)
• Centro de Ciencia y Tecnología del Parque Tecnológico de Andalucía (Málaga)
• Observatorio Astronómico de Almadén de la Plata (Sevilla)

RECTA  was created in the framework of the recently passed Andalusian Law on Science and Knowledge.  These entities assist in coordinating, managing and informing the public as described in the Andalusian system of knowledge described in the Plan Andaluz de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación  (Andalusian  Plan for Research, Development and Innovation)  (PAIDI).

 

» ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION

The Network is undertaking various initiatives to awaken public interest in science. In the first place, it will create communications channels among the different agencies developing initiatives for publicizing scientific information.  Furthermore, the Network is developing explanatory and informative texts in the different areas of science and technology. It also fosters improvement in equipment, and provides technical and legal consulting services, in addition to production, conservation, restoration, visitor attention and communications strategies at the centers.

The association will aslo strengthen training, by organizing courses, meetings, visits and exchanges. It also encourages the creation of grants and training programs that instruct staff at the centres in scientific public information.

RECTA also supports publication and promotion of Network member activities through public awareness initiatives. To this end, it will issue publications and undertake other action to communicate to society the wealth of public information in Andalusia. An example is the Association's website, where information and resources related to the centres may be found.

Furthermore, as it is comprised of centers that possess historical and scientific property, the Network will work to ensure the conservation of this legacy. RECTA will also undertake to assist in research in areas related to museums, public communications on science, education, scientific awareness, and basic scientific education.