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The project has been developed by the IDAEA and IQAC CSIC centres, and introduced young students to global health challenges through hands-on research experiences
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The initiative is part of the “Bojos per la Ciència” programme by the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation, which promotes scientific vocations among high school students
‘Bojos per la Salut Global’ coordinators and participants during the final event of the program. | Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera
On June 13th, Món Sant Benet hosted the closing ceremony of the 13th edition of Bojos per la Ciència, an excellence program by the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation that fosters scientific vocations among high school students with a strong interest in science and research. The event brought together over 450 attendees, including participants, families, teachers, and researchers from the sixteen research centers that took part in this latest edition.
A total of 254 young students participated this year in the various programs, which covered a wide range of disciplines, such as biomedicine, biochemistry, economics, nutrition, energy, engineering, supercomputing, chemistry, global health, and physics. Bojos per la Salut Global was the project coordinated by IQAC and IDAEA as part of the Foundation’s program and trained 15 students from January to June.
During the final event, two students from each program, together with their coordinators, were given the opportunity to share their experiences or highlight what had impacted them the most, showcasing their passion for science and eagerness to learn.
Our Experience
“It has been a wonderful experience where not only did I meet unforgettable people who share my interests, but I also learned a lot about a scientific field I care deeply about: the nature and health of our planet. I am convinced that this experience will open many doors for me in my professional career,” says Irene Anguera, a student in the program. “Long live science, and here’s to many more enriching experiences!” Irene concludes.
Our program also wanted to hold an internal closing event at our center and invited families to see where their sons and daughters had spent many Saturdays. Guided by the students themselves, the families toured the laboratories, and in groups, the students presented their final projects.
“After each session, Aina would tell us every detail with motivation and excitement, and we’ve witnessed the great change she has undergone from the start of the program to the end. She began with fear and anxiety, unsure she could manage it all and achieve her goals as a student. But the amazing human team formed by Ana and Juliette made her feel capable of handling everything, eager to learn more, and opened up many doors to different branches of science. All in all, it has been a great experience and learning opportunity that we recommend 100%,” says Helena Cutillas, mother of Aina Azor.
Participants during the final presentation of the program. | Ana Sotres
A Future with More Science
With over 3,000 students having participated since its launch in 2013, Bojos per la Ciència has become one of the key initiatives in Catalonia for promoting scientific vocations among young people. The Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera thus reaffirms its commitment to research, knowledge, and the promotion of young talent as a driver of social transformation.
“It has been a highly enriching experience both professionally and personally, and we are confident that both IQAC and IDAEA will also benefit from it. Now it’s time to get to work on the next edition,” conclude Ana Sotres and Juliette Bedrossiantz, coordinators of the Bojos per la Salut Global program.
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