Students from the 5th group of School No. 13 Esther Guevara in Justo Daract (San Luis) presented at the 2025 Science Fair an experimental development called “GeoBloque”, an ecological board made from basalt powder and other local minerals.
The project is part of the interdisciplinary project “From the Yard to the Laboratory”, coordinated by teacher Mara Ybañez, and proposes a sustainable alternative for construction.
Literary inspiration and scientific exploration
A journey from Jules Verne to the school laboratory to understand the Earth and its resources.
The project was born from the reading of Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne, which motivated students to investigate the subsystems of the planet, the geosphere, and the physical and chemical properties of rocks. Throughout the process, they carried out:
- Microscope observations
- Resistance tests and mineralogical classification
- Reading scientific articles and visits from experts
- Meetings with geologists, volcanologists, and specialists in natural construction
GeoBloque: an experimental board with positive environmental impact
It captures CO₂, does not require an industrial oven, and can be integrated into social housing and provincial roads.
The GeoBloque was created through trial and error, using basalt extracted from the quarry “La Garrapata” and other geological materials with controlled porosity and the presence of olivine, a key mineral in carbon dioxide capture.
“The block is breathable, lightweight, recyclable, and does not require an industrial oven. All environmentally friendly characteristics,” explained Ybañez.
Additionally, the design contemplates its use in:
- Social housing infrastructure
- Provincial road works
- Construction with low environmental impact
Sustainability in construction: a global necessity
The sector represents more than 35% of global energy consumption and generates 40% of CO₂ emissions.
Sustainable construction seeks to reduce the environmental impact of materials, processes, and buildings. This implies:
- Use of recyclable materials and low-energy consumption
- Incorporation of passive and local technologies
- Reuse of natural resources and industrial waste
- Efficient design that minimizes the carbon footprint
Projects like GeoBloque demonstrate that school innovation can contribute to real solutions, integrating environmental education, applied science, and territorial awareness.
Interdisciplinary learning and environmental awareness
The project integrates science, technology, and geology to think of local solutions with global impact.
The school proposal promotes:
- Scientific thinking applied to daily life
- Awareness of responsible use of natural resources
- Innovation in sustainable construction materials
“We acknowledge the support from the quarry workers, who helped us understand the physical and chemical reactions of basalt,” highlighted the teacher.
