Democratizing Access to Science and Technology in Rural Schools: Educational Innovation through Remote Laboratories. The R3 Project.

The R3 Project (https://proyecto-r3.ingenieria.deusto. es/) was created from the motivation of a group of professors and researchers at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Deusto to foster scientific vocations in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) among young people from rural areas—that is, to democratize access to experimental science and technology. Its objective is to reduce the educational gap between rural and urban schools by promoting interest in STEM disciplines and ensuring educational equity (SDG 4). Through collaboration between technologists and experts from other disciplines, the project offers an innovative solution that allows students to interact with science without the need for expensive infrastructure. The University of Deusto, a leader in remote laboratories, works with LabsLand to develop this technology, facilitating its implementation in rural schools and enabling teachers and students to carry out real experiments via the Internet. Moreover, the R3 Project promotes sustainability, as experiments are shared among educational centers, optimizing economic resources and reducing environmental impact. The results show a positive impact on students’ motivation and learning, strengthening their connection with science and technology.