A VERY special Sant Jordi: love is in the air!

Every year, the PRBB residents surprise us with something new during the celebrations that are organised at the park for the whole community, such as the Christmas party, the Beach volleyball championship or the Sant Jordi celebration. We have been able to shout in rock concerts, to see a ‘capoeira roda’, to dance ‘sardanes’, to hear the angelical voices of the PRBB choir and even to enjoy a trapeze show, everything done by the residents themselves.

But when we thought we had seen it all... on April 22, 2009, we laughed and cried again. Apart from the traditional book exchange of the Sant Jordi celebration – this year more than 500! – and of the roses that filled the square, the PRBB theatre group, which exists since only four months, offered us the best that can be offered: a smile and a good time amongst friends.

More smiles, and even one or two emotional tears, accompanied the first public declaration of love – and what better day to do it? – to take place at the PRBB. The lucky girl (me!) was very surprised and emotional, altough she nearly killed the boy because of the embarrassment he made her go through. The about 200 residents that were witnesses of it had just finished enjoying the demonstration of the PRBB capoeira group, whose members (including the boy and the girl) showed the ability and agility they are acquiring week after week. Furthermore, continuing with the sports, the day finished with a raffle to choose which beach volley teams will have to confront each other in the next months.

Difficult to beat? Wait until the next party! (although I can't imagine what can come after this!!!!)

The PRBB organizes two 'science popularization' awards

For the fourth consecutive year the PRBB and the CEXS-UPF organize the “Premi PRBB de recerca en ciències de la salut i de la vida”, an award for the best research works by high school students in life sciences. This year the award is also open to the participation of VET (Vocational Education and Training) students in health and chemistry.

But this is not the only novelty of 2009. The PRBB wants to work not only with students, but also with scientists, housewives, lawyers, painters: with any person who is interested in science and wants to help in its communication. Thanks to the award “Premi El·lipse” they will be able to communicate science to the general public, be it by words or graphically. This year, the theme of this new award will be stem cells. So if you have ever wanted to write a theatre script about a cancer patient that receives stem cell therapy, or to create a comic about the life of a researcher working on this field, this is your opportunity! The written material can be in Catalan, Spanish or English.

For more information on both awards please see www.prbb.org/premi and www.prbb.org/premiellipse. The deadlines to send your work are April 14 for the “Premi PRBB” and September 1 for the “Premi El·lipse”. Amongst other prizes, you could win a laptop for the best research project or €1000 for the best science communication work about stem cells. Good luck!