Aula, Museos y Colecciones

El Museo de Ciencias de Cogeces del Monte (Valladolid) se inauguró en 1998 con el fin de albergar una colección de minerales elaborada por uno de los autores de este trabajo. El tamaño de dicha colección excedía, con mucho, las proporciones para ser expuesta de forma particular y se llegó a un convenio con el Ayuntamiento de la citada localidad para una cesión a tiempo indefinido, con el fin de ser expuesta en las antiguas escuelas, que fueron rehabilitadas y dotadas de mobiliario para la exposición de los ejemplares. El conjunto de la exposición lo componen1460 ejemplares de minerales y algunas rocas. La mayoría de los ejemplares han sido sometidos a análisis químico y a difracción de rayos X para verificar su naturaleza. Se han establecido tres secciones o colecciones, lo que permite una exposición más clara y favorece las explicaciones a los visitantes: Colección sistemática, Colección geográfica y Colección tecnológica. La importancia del Museo radica, principalmente, en que el público en general tiene la posibilidad de conocer una colección de indudable valor científico y didáctico, que normalmente sólo se encuentra en grandes centros urbanos. Constituye un excelente recurso didáctico para centros educativos de la comarca en un entorno meseteño donde la diversidad mineralógica y geológica es escasa, permitiéndoles realizar visitas guiadas de carácter didáctico.

The Science Museum of Cogeces del Monte (Valladolid) was opened in 1998 to exhibit the mineral collection compiled by one of the authors of this paper. The size of this collection far exceed the proportions for a private exhibition. For this reason, an agreement was signed with the village council to donate this collection indefinitely. The old school buildings were chosen to house it and these were restored and equipped with appropriate furniture to exhibit the mineral pieces. Besides the aforementioned minerals, a room was also set up with fossils and other local materials supplied by villagers and people from the area who have an interest in this museum. The collection consists of 1,460 mineral species and some rocks. Most of them have been collected along the years by Alejandro del Valle in his numerous trips and excursions throughout Spain. Another part comes from exchanges, donations and purchases. Most minerals have also undergone chemical analysis and X-ray diffraction to verify their composition and supply accurate information on the exhibition labels.

The collection is organized in three sections:

Systematic collection: Based on the chemical composition and crystal structure to establish a mineralogical classification (class, subclass and structural type).

Geographic collection: Although this is not based on scientific criteria, it allows identifying the origin of the exhibited minerals.

Technological collection: Based on mineral uses. Only significant minerals are exhibited in this section.

The exhibitions are accompanied by posters with additional information. Further material can be found in different publications or by asking the museum staff. The general public has the opportunity to approach a collection of undoubted scientific and educational value which usually can only be found in large urban areas. On the other hand, the museum is an excellent teaching resource for schools in the middle area of the Douro Cenozoic basin, where mineral and geologic diversity is scarce. It allows students to learn about different aspects of the mineral collection. Guided visits, adapted to the level and interests of the participants, can be arranged.