ICMM celebrates Europe Day with an outreach event at Eugenio Trías Library

The activity carried out with CSIC centres at the UAM campus, was aimed for Secondary students.

The CSIC centers on the UAM campus, coordinated by the Materials Science Institute of Madrid, have celebrated Europe Day at the Eugenio Trías library, the old Menagerie in Retiro Park, in the capital. The event has been developed over three days (May 8, 9 and 10) for the Secondary public (from 3rd year of ESO to 2nd year of Baccalaureate).

The activity consisted of a one-hour meeting with researchers who work on different European projects. The objective is both to bring science closer to young audiences and to make visible the research we do within the European framework, and the possibilities that the European Union offers to participate, promote and finance research in various areas (biology, materials science, chemistry, physics, etc.). , etc.). "They have not talked about the typical, I did not expect that they would talk to us about magnets or biology," said an assistant, who has recognized that "perhaps" she will rethink her career and guide her to the sciences.

After this meeting, the participants have carried out the already traditional Escape Road: in search of Nobel and non-Nobel scientists, our gymkhana to make visible the work of women in science in which they have competed in groups to win a gift surprise. Some of the participants recognized that, before this activity, only the name of a scientist came to mind: Marie Curie. After the gymkhana, they were able to list many more, even knowing what their main scientific contributions had been.

"It has given us time to learn many women scientists, many interesting things," said one of the attendees. A classmate added at the end: "They are an example to follow."

-- Ángela R. Bonachera (Text), Carlos Arroyo/Morgan (photo and vídeo) - ICMM Communication and Outreach Unit--