The transition towards renewable energy sources stands as one of the main challenges and opportunities in the pursuit of global sustainability. Among these alternatives, geothermal energy emerges as a particularly valuable option due to its renewable, stable, and low-emission characteristics, aligning directly with the objectives of SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy (Tester et al., 2021). Despite these advantages, the global and regional implementation of geothermal energy remains relatively limited when compared to other renewable energies such as solar and wind sources. In this context, our project aims to promote awareness and understanding of geothermal energy among students and the academic community of Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina.

Póster presentado en "English Chair. Advances and Challenges of Geology in Argentina". Neuquén, 3 de Noviembre de 2025.

Wildfires alter essential soil properties, affecting its structure, stability, and surface dynamics. These changes, linked to the sedimentary materials that compose the terrain, increase erosion and hinder vegetation recovery. The study was conducted in Parque Norte (Neuquén), on soil with characteristics similar to areas slightly affected by wildfires, with the objective of assessing its recovery capacity using Grindelia chiloensis as a bioindicator species adapted to arid environments. From a geological perspective, the research aims to understand how vegetation contributes to stabilizing surface materials and mitigating erosion and desertification processes.

The preservation of fossil heritage constitutes an interdisciplinary challenge that involves geology, education, and the public communication of science. On the campus of the National University of Comahue, where fossils are exposed to the everyday environment, gaps in knowledge and limited dissemination regarding their value and legal protection are observed. In response to this issue, the present study aimed to evaluate the level of awareness and knowledge about fossils among different sectors of the community —university campus users, runners, and high school students— as well as to analyze the impact of an educational intervention on the social perception of fossil heritage.

The research was carried out under a mixed approach, through the application of surveys, interviews, and informative talks. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were examined through thematic coding. The results indicate that, although adults and university students possess a general awareness of the importance of fossils, their involvement and normative knowledge are limited. In contrast, high school students showed a significant increase in their knowledge and appreciation after participating in a guided educational instance.

Overall, the findings confirm the decisive role of geoscience education as a tool to strengthen social awareness and promote the preservation of fossil heritage. It is recommended to systematically incorporate heritage content into school, university, and community programs in order to foster an informed citizenship committed to its natural and cultural environment.

The city of Neuquén is undergoing significant urban growth, which drives the demand for aggregates such as sand, gravel, and crushed stone, mainly used in construction. This demand leads to an intensification of extractive activities in both riverbank and terrestrial quarries, whose exploitation can cause significant impacts on the geological environment, such as erosion, ground instability, and alteration of overlying and underlying sedimentary systems. The present project aims to analyze these impacts from a geological perspective and to assess the degree of involvement of professional geologists in the planning, control, and monitoring of such activities, within the framework of the principles of responsible production and consumption established by SDG 12.

Poster sobre energía geotérmica. Funcionamiento, ventajas y desventajas realizado por estudiantes de la Licenciatura en Ciencias Geológicas.

Soil degradation due to salinity and sodicity represents a global issue that limits agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. In this context, organic amendments such as compost offer a sustainable alternative for the restoration of halomorphic soils. This study was conducted on the university campus of the National University of Comahue, where the effect of organic compost on soil physical and chemical properties and plant growth was evaluated. An amendment composed of black soil, organic waste, and earthworms was prepared, and three treatments with different compost and halomorphic soil proportions were applied over two weeks, recording soil and plant variables every four days. The results showed that increasing compost proportions reduced salinity, improved soil structure and moisture retention, and promoted more vigorous plant growth. It is concluded that compost represents an effective tool for improving soil quality, promoting sustainable management practices, and reusing institutional organic waste, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal No. 11 and strengthening environmental education within the university environment.

The research analyzes the relationship between the lack of urban planning and slope instability in the bardas of Neuquén, with the aim of identifying risk zones and assessing the social perception of danger. A mixed-method approach was applied, combining geospatial analysis in QGIS with surveys of local residents. The hazard and vulnerability maps revealed that the neighborhoods of Villa Ceferino, Melipal, and Islas Malvinas show a critical overlap between high geomorphological susceptibility and high social exposure. Despite this, 82% of respondents do not perceive their homes to be at risk, and 64% are unaware of the concept of mitigation, evidencing a significant gap between physical risk and social perception. The results highlight the need to incorporate geological and geomorphological criteria into urban planning and to implement education and monitoring campaigns that strengthen community-based risk management. It is concluded that the integration of technical tools and citizen participation is essential to move toward safer, more resilient, and sustainable urban development.

This paper addresses the awareness of geothermal energy within the university community of the University of Comahue (Universidad Nacional del Comahue, UNCo), within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. The study combined a quantitative-descriptive and educational-participatory approach through surveys conducted before and after a scientific outreach campaign that included printed brochures and digital infographics. The results showed a significant increase in the level of knowledge and an improvement in the perception of geothermal energy as a clean and safe source, along with a reduction in misconceptions about its environmental impacts. Likewise, a greater willingness to change opinions after receiving reliable information was observed, confirming the effectiveness of the implemented communication strategies. Overall, the findings demonstrate that scientific education within the academic environment is a key tool to promote social acceptance of renewable energies and strengthen the transition toward a sustainable energy model.

The city of Neuquén is undergoing significant urban growth, which drives the demand for aggregates such as sand, gravel, and crushed stone, mainly used in construction. This demand leads to an intensification of extractive activities in both riverbank and terrestrial quarries, whose exploitation can cause significant impacts on the geological environment, such as erosion, ground instability, and alteration of overlying and underlying sedimentary systems. The present project aims to analyze these impacts from a geological perspective and to assess the degree of involvement of professional geologists in the planning, control, and monitoring of such activities, within the framework of the principles of responsible production and consumption established by SDG 12.

This paper analyzes the potential of Grindelia chiloensis, a native species of arid environments, which was studied as a tool for mitigating erosion and desertification in degraded soils. The research was conducted in a sector of Parque Norte (Neuquén) with characteristics similar to those of areas affected by small-scale fires. Soil samples were collected, physicochemical parameters (pH, moisture, electrical conductivity, N, P, and K) were measured, and a germination test was performed under controlled conditions. The results show that the soil, despite its loss of vegetation cover, maintains adequate levels of fertility and stability. Germination reached 50%, confirming the adaptation of the species G. chiloensis to clay soils. The findings suggest that revegetation with native species represents an effective strategy to restore degraded soils and reduce erosion in arid and semi-arid environments.

Soil degradation due to salinity and sodicity represents a global issue that limits agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. In this context, organic amendments such as compost offer a sustainable alternative for the restoration of halomorphic soils. This study was conducted on the university campus of the National University of Comahue, where the effect of organic compost on soil physical and chemical properties and plant growth was evaluated. An amendment composed of black soil, organic waste, and earthworms was prepared, and three treatments with different compost and halomorphic soil proportions were applied over two weeks, recording soil and plant variables every four days. The results showed that increasing compost proportions reduced salinity, improved soil structure and moisture retention, and promoted more vigorous plant growth. It is concluded that compost represents an effective tool for improving soil quality, promoting sustainable management practices, and reusing institutional organic waste, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal No. 11 and strengthening environmental education within the university environment.

The preservation of fossil heritage constitutes an interdisciplinary challenge that involves geology, education, and the public communication of science. On the campus of the National University of Comahue, where fossils are exposed to the everyday environment, gaps in knowledge and limited dissemination regarding their value and legal protection are observed. In response to this issue, the present study aimed to evaluate the level of awareness and knowledge about fossils among different sectors of the community —university campus users, runners, and high school students— as well as to analyze the impact of an educational intervention on the social perception of fossil heritage.

The research was carried out under a mixed approach, through the application of surveys, interviews, and informative talks. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were examined through thematic coding. The results indicate that, although adults and university students possess a general awareness of the importance of fossils, their involvement and normative knowledge are limited. In contrast, high school students showed a significant increase in their knowledge and appreciation after participating in a guided educational instance.

Overall, the findings confirm the decisive role of geoscience education as a tool to strengthen social awareness and promote the preservation of fossil heritage. It is recommended to systematically incorporate heritage content into school, university, and community programs in order to foster an informed citizenship committed to its natural and cultural environment.

El proyecto de Libertad abrió el debate a la comunidad por medio de segmentos quincenales en el programa radial “El hilo invisible: Trama de resistencias” que salió al aire por radio Antena Libre, la radio pública y universitaria de la Facultad de Derecho y Ciencias Sociales de General Roca. Hacer partícipe a la audiencia del trabajo que se lleva a cabo en el aula y generar el intercambio con el medio es clave para la constitución de prácticas sociales educativas que, como definen Cecchi, Macchiarola y Oyarbide (2024), “constituyen oportunidades que contribuyen decididamente a fortalecer el compromiso social de las universidades, los modos de enseñar y aprender en relación estrecha a problemáticas socialmente relevantes, así como a la formación integral, ética y política de las/os graduadas/os” (p. 4).

El presente trabajo detalla el proceso de traducción inversa de la crónica patagónica “Las manos en el barro”, escrita por Cecilia Rayén Guerrero Dewey, que se llevó a cabo en la asignatura Traducción Literaria, para el cual se adoptó una dinámica de trabajo colectiva estructurada en torno a tres roles principales: traducción, revisión y coordinación. El objetivo de la presentación es demostrar la reflexión llevada a cabo durante este proyecto, particularmente, lo relacionado con las características de este género literario poco explorado y sus aspectos lingüísticos y culturales en el ámbito de la traducción inversa. Algunas de las temáticas que se tuvieron en cuenta para la conformación del marco teórico son: la definición de la crónica patagónica; el rol de la documentación en la toma de decisiones traductológicas; las dificultades del género (como la verbosidad, la traducción de imágenes y la oralización del discurso); las particularidades lingüísticas de la comunidad drag (camp talk); y la resistencia cultural del pueblo mapuche a través del término peñi. Este trabajo permite evidenciar la diversidad temática y la importancia de profundizar en los desafíos de la traducción literaria, poner en valor el trabajo en equipo y la responsabilidad de abordar los textos con sensibilidad hacia sus contextos sociales, históricos y lingüísticos.

Este proyecto formó para de la "Convocatoria de Acciones tendientes a la Curricularización de la Extensión en la Universidad Nacional del Comahue". Consideramos que pudimos concretar los objetivos propuestos para este proyecto y logramos una participación activa y comprometida de nuestras estudiantes. Se difundió la cultura y la literatura locales en el territorio mediante charlas abiertas en el programa “El hilo invisible: Trama de resistencias” de la radio universitaria Antena Libre, junto a la conductora Paola Arias, con foco en las tensiones que surgen entre las lenguas y las culturas durante el proceso de traducción. Pudimos fomentar el intercambio entre el estudiantado y otros actores sociales dentro de la comunidad —como escritores, periodistas, otros docentes y público en general— con el fin de que construyan un posicionamiento ético y político que impacte en su vida personal y profesional, al mismo tiempo que compartieron con la comunidad algo del mundo de la traducción y sus desafíos. En relación con esto, fue clave hacer hincapié en cómo las lenguas y el discurso pueden contribuir a perpetuar estereotipos o, por el contrario, dar voz a las minorías. Finalmente, de esta manera fue posible presentar, mediante ejemplos concretos, los desafíos de la traducción de culturas minoritarias como agendas políticas necesarias y sumamente relevantes en nuestro contexto.

The purpose of this work is to promote awareness and knowledge about energy efficiency among students of the Faculty of Economics and Administration (FaEA) of the National University of Comahue. Based on an informative campaign on social media, complemented with surveys and a focus group, the aim was to gather perceptions, habits, and knowledge levels related to responsible energy use within the university environment. The results showed that, although there is the practice of certain saving behaviors—such as maximizing natural light or turning off unnecessary lights—a limited understanding of energy efficiency and its environmental impact persists. Solar energy was identified as the most viable renewable alternative for the institution, both for its technical feasibility and its educational value. Although low participation restricted the quantitative scope of the study, the qualitative analysis allowed for the recognition of an incipient environmental awareness and a growing interest in sustainability. It is concluded that it is necessary to strengthen university energy education through comprehensive strategies that articulate communication, training, and institutional management, in line with Sustainable Development Goal No. 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.

This study analyzes the impact of a digital training program aimed at young entrepreneurs in the city of Neuquén, conducted over four months and framed within Sustainable Development Goal No. 8: decent work and economic growth. The intervention aimed to strengthen knowledge in Marketing, Accounting, and Microsoft Excel, since many entrepreneurs lack basic digital and economic skills that are essential to improve the efficiency, organization, and sustainability of their projects. The methodology included an initial diagnostic survey to identify training needs, the delivery of educational materials specifically designed for the project, and follow-up through virtual meetings, complemented by a final survey to evaluate the program’s usefulness. The results showed significant improvements in the understanding and practical application of the tools, especially Excel, which was rated as the most useful for optimizing processes. In addition, a successful case was recorded in which one participant improved inventory control in a real business by applying formulas learned during the training. Overall, the findings demonstrate that education in digital tools directly contributes to the personal and professional development of young entrepreneurs.

“The Mate Teachers” project, developed at the School of Informatics of the Universidad Nacional del Comahue, aligns with SDG 10 on reducing inequalities and aims to improve the academic and emotional adaptation of first-year students in the subject Elements of Algebra. The study aimed to analyze the impact of a mixed —digital and face-to-face— mentoring system designed to strengthen learning and institutional belonging. This research is particularly relevant as it addresses a critical stage of university life where differences in study habits and self-confidence often deepen educational gaps. A mixed-method, descriptive, and exploratory approach was adopted, including Instagram surveys, analysis of Discord interactions, and in-person observations. Results show that although digital participation was limited, the inclusion of in-person spaces increased interaction, improved students’ self-perception of exam preparation, and supported academic continuity. In conclusion, the experience demonstrates that teaching mathematics from a humanistic and critical perspective does not mean abandoning rigor, but rather re-signifying it to promote inclusion, collaboration, and equity in the early years of university education.