The importance of oxygenated water
in collaboration with UvA & ARTIS Micropia, New Heroes & Juf op Straat
An art, science and education project in one; 'The importance of oxygenated water' tells the story of the invisible but also indispensable role that micro-organisms play in oxygen production. Did you know that half of all oxygen on Earth comes from water? The microorganisms that live in the water make oxygen when light shines on them.
How much oxygen do the Amsterdam algae provide? And is it enough that we as city dwellers also benefit from it? We are investigating exactly how that works, together with hundreds of primary school students. Together we will create a light artwork - entitled 'The Water we Breathe' - and share our findings with the city.
UPDATE 04.12.2020 - Artwork!
We are so proud of the artwork, created together with our partners! View the artwork here. 
UPDATE 02.12.2020 - The Build-up
The build-up is in full swing.. The last pots are being installed... almost ready to turn on the lights!
UPDATE 27.11.2020 - Pots!
In the meantime, the Amsterdam Light Festival warehouse fills with the pots of all 650 Amsterdam children. What is happening with it now? Jasper and Else-marie check the colors, does the natural dye remain clearly visible? This week the pots will move to the UvA Campus, because the buildup of the artwork will start!
UPDATE 25.11.2020 - Micropia!
The classes headed to Micropia for the third and final workshop. There they did the quest in search of the invisible world and the importance of algae. They interviewed a lab technician. Questions such as "do algae have eyes?", "How many algae actually exist?" were asked. The last part of the workshop was with small handheld microscopes. The students looked through small microscopes at Amsterdam canal water, where they could see at least 5 different types of algae.
UPDATE 23.11.2020 - In the news!
Noord-Holland news gave us a visit to learn more about our project! Read the full article here (in Dutch)!
UPDATE 17.11.2020 - The start of workshop #2
The kids put on their labcoats because in workshop #2 they are actual researches! The students take a close look at their own water sample. Researches of the University of Amsterdam were there to assist!
UPDATE 03.11.2020 - The workshops started!
The first workshops started! Jorie, Oukje & Jonata explained the students how the festival is organised. They've got the students excited for the artwork they will create. And the designing started straight away!
UPDATE 19.10.2020 - Try-out time!
Last weekend we tested our workshop. Ten children from the Boekmanschool were researches for a day. It was a great succes! A few adjustments and we're ready to go!
UPDATE 17.10.2020 - Jasper from Company New Heroes
Meet Jasper, one of the inventors of the project. What makes this project so special to him? Jasper: “⅓ of Amsterdam consists of water. Now we have a superficial relationship with it: we sail on it and swim in it. But the water is much richer! It is an enormous source of life and clean air for the city. That is, if we take good care of it. With this project we put the importance of oxygen-rich water in the spotlight! ”
UPDATE 01.10.2020 The research started
Samples from the canals, streams and ponds, it is all tested with special equipment by researchers at the University of Amsterdam.
UPDATE 22.09.2020 - How to: collecting a water sample
Iris & Chiara are conducting a research about water at the University of Amsterdam. They are helping the students to investigate the quality of the water in Amsterdam. They explain to primary school students how to best collect water from their environment.
PROJECT PARTNERS
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Curious to find out more about other projects? View them here.