Revolutionizing Water Collection: Ferrocement Tank with Nopal Mucilage as an Ecological Solution

Outline

The presentation will be structured into four key components over 90 minutes.

In the first part, lasting 15 minutes, the project of the ferrocement tank with nopal mucilage will be introduced. Theoretical content on the properties of mucilage and its importance in sustainability will be presented, using visual examples to engage the audience.

In the second part, lasting 20 minutes, the Design Thinking process will be explained. Guidelines for each stage—empathy, definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing—will be provided. During this section, participation will be encouraged through open questions, and small group discussions will promote how to apply this process in their projects.

The third part, lasting 30 minutes, will focus on a practical activity. Participants will form groups to design a prototype of the tank using available materials and nopal mucilage. They will be encouraged to research and use digital devices to find relevant information and document their process. During this activity, the facilitator will circulate among the groups to offer support and feedback.

Finally, in the last part, lasting 25 minutes, the groups will present their prototypes and share their experiences. Reflective dialogue will be encouraged, allowing participants to discuss challenges and lessons learned. The session will conclude with a summary of key points and a brief discussion on the applicability of what they learned in their educational contexts.

Throughout the presentation, interactive tactics such as peer discussions, group activities, and the use of digital devices will be employed to maintain engagement and facilitate collaborative learning.

Supporting research

1. Paredes, M. A., & López, A. (2015). *Tanque de ferrocemento: Diseño y construcción para la recolección de agua de lluvia* [Tesis de licenciatura, Universidad de Cuenca]. DSpace Universidad de Cuenca. https://dspace.ucuenca.edu.ec/bitstream/123456789/786/1/ti842.pdf

2. Morales, J. (2017). *Ferrocemento: Una alternativa constructiva* [Documento]. Caminos Sostenibles. http://caminosostenible.org/wp-content/uploads/BIBLIOTECA/ferrocemento.PDF

4. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias (2018). *Tanques de ferrocemento para almacenamiento de agua* [Informe]. INIA. http://biblioteca.inia.cl/medios/biblioteca/informativos/NR39708.pdf
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBdyLwJIWBo
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HMK0HHHz-E