Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1457526
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 6 MARCH 2022 16 Schwarz Group donates €10 million worth of needed products to Ukraine THE Schwarz Group, a mul- tinational retail chain present in Malta with the Lidl brand, is following the developments in Ukraine with full attention. Especially in such a difficult moment, it is important to the Group to live up to its responsi- bility as a large retail company providing rapid aid. The Schwarz Group has been in contact with various local aid organisations since the be- ginning of the crisis and has decided to donate, through its Lidl and Kaufland retail divi- sions, EUR 10 million worth of non-perishable food, textiles, hygiene products and other needed products. A significant contribution to support refugees in the areas near the Ukraine border. Four grantees announced for the first STEM Community Fund 2021 ESPLORA Interactive Science Centre has announced the re- sults of its first edition of the STEM Community Fund 2021, where STEM stands for Sci- ence, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Four STEM Community Pro- jects have been recognized with a grant to support their STEM research and communication projects with a total of €24,000. The winners, which were se- lected after evaluation by an expert panel, are: Equal by Nature by the Mal- ta Chamber of Scientists. This project aims to use genetics to build bridges between peoples of different nationalities. A community of migrants will be exposed to the fundamentals of genetics in a series of work- shops. These workshops will help break down genetics in an engaging and interactive man- ner. Second phase workshops will focus on developing an art installation, through working closely with scientists and art- ists, for the Science in the City Festival. The idea is to create a long banner that will represent unity while celebrating diversi- ty. Establishing Ecological Cor- ridors for Fauna Species by BirdLife Malta. This project aims to shed light on the move- ments and habits of two com- mon fauna species: the Medi- terranean Chameleon and the Vagrant Hedgehog of which lit- tle is still known. A process of regular tracking will be possible thanks to very small lightweight tags placed on the animals. In- formation on a number of fac- tors such as their preferred habitats and threats, their pre- ferred periods of activity and their feeding foraging grounds will be collected. Since such da- ta can give valuable tips, what follows will ensure that a fitting habitat can be designed for the benefit of the iconic species in mention. Malta Code 4 Earth by the Sec- retariat for Catholic Education. The project aims to engage the students with the science in- quiry model while accompany- ing this approach with the use of purchased kits. The environ- ment is the focal point of this project, as it is a system that can be harmed. As a result of their engagement, understand- ing acquired through these dis- tinct classroom lessons and the kits in mention, the students will proceed to develop related projects which are aimed to re- flect this awareness. Get in Motion to Save the Ocean (GMSO) by St Monica School. This project aims to im- plement measures that will act as a contribution to the circular economy. A reduction in the use of single use plastic (SUP), national afforestation efforts, a greater awareness about the proliferation of microplastics along Maltese coastal areas and the promulgation of citizen sci- ence practices are goals target- ed by this project. The STEM Community Fund is a scheme aimed at bridging the gap between science and society via community-based STEM-related projects. It is one of the initiatives of the STEM Engagement Work- ing Group chaired by Esplora (Malta Council for Science and Technology). The Working Group includes representatives from the Ministry of Educa- tion, the University of Malta, MCAST, Jobsplus and Tech.mt. For more information, kindly contact the STEM Engagement Team at Esplora on stemen- gagement.esplora@esplora.org. mt