The Industrial University of Santander, UIS, has installed a modern meteorological center on the Bicentennial Campus of the Socorro Headquarters as part of the Racimo Orquídeas project led by the Halley group. This station will allow real-time measurements of temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind direction and speed, precipitation, air quality, and other environmental indicators of scientific and educational interest.
Campus Coordinator Julio Alfonso Martínez Molina highlighted the importance of this initiative for the academic and regional community, stating that “with this station, the UIS is making valuable data on climate and air quality monitoring available to students, teachers, and the general public. This not only strengthens academic processes, but also opens the door to environmental projects with an impact on the region,” he said.
In addition to the weather station, the project includes similar equipment at the Barbosa, Málaga, and Barrancabermeja campuses. At the same time, particulate matter meters were installed to analyze air pollution at both the Bicentennial Campus and the Convent Campus.
UIS postdoctoral researcher Professor Laura Flórez explained that this work seeks to educate new generations in the understanding of climate change and environmental management: “As part of the Racimo Orquídeas project, we are installing stations at each regional campus. The data will be uploaded in real time and anyone will be able to consult it. In addition, high school students will receive training in scientific meteorology and will be able to develop environmental projects based on this information,” she said.
The project is progressing with monthly training modules; the first, now completed, focused on initial training, while the second directly addresses climate change. In 2025, a third module will be introduced, aimed at project development, thus consolidating a strategy that combines science, education, and environmental commitment.
