The CSIC centers in Cantoblanco bring European science to nearly 300 higher education students

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It was on May 9, 1950, when Robert Schuman, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, delivered a declaration that would later bear his name: proposing the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). This was the first of several supranational institutions that eventually led, in 1992, to the European Union as we know it today.

While promoting peace, security, and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms are always mentioned among its objectives, these are by no means its sole aims. Promoting scientific and technological progress, as well as protecting and improving environmental quality, are also key objectives of this institution, significantly influencing research institutions across Europe.

Therefore, to celebrate Europe Day, the ten centers of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) around Cantoblanco came together, directed by ICMM, for a three-day event where we brought the most European science to higher education students. Specifically, during these three days, almost 300 high school and vocational students attended talks (18 sessions spread over the three days) about the science we conduct thanks to Europe: research projects made possible through funding from the European Union's various financial aid programs.

During these sessions, students learned about various European projects: advanced biofuel production at the Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry; critical element-free magnets at the Institute of Ceramics and Glass; cryo-electron microscopy at the National Center for Biotechnology; DNA replication studies in cancer at the Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center; image simplification at the Biomedical Research Institute; and projects focusing on repairing spinal cord injuries using nanotechnology, 2D materials, and nanocosmos exploration at the Madrid Institute of Materials Science.

With three postdoctoral researchers holding MSC fellowships, students concluded the event with our classic Escape Road activity: searching for women Nobel laureates and non-Nobel achievers, engaging in reflection and play about the role of women in high-quality science throughout history.