The Institute of Chemical Research (IIQ) has renewed its commitment to science communication for another year by taking part in ‘Ciencia en el Barrio’, a project promoted by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) which aims to bring science to everyone. In the case of Seville, the project focuses on twelve secondary schools in various neighbourhoods across the Norte, Macarena, Sur, Cerro-Amate and San Pablo-Santa Justa districts, as well as the Torreblanca area in the Este district. To select the project’s target areas, the team has drawn on the indicators set out in the Analysis of Social Needs in Seville’s Districts, produced by Seville City Council, as well as data from the Ministry of Public Works’ Atlas of Urban Vulnerability. In this way, the programme prioritises its activities in those neighbourhoods where these initiatives can make a significant contribution to reducing inequalities in access to scientific culture.
For several editions now, the IIQ has been part of this programme, which promotes interaction between researchers and the public through workshops, demonstrations and visits to research centres. The aim is to spark scientific curiosity, encourage critical thinking and demonstrate the impact that research has on everyday life.
In this edition, the IIQ has organised four activities aimed at secondary school pupils:
- Two science workshops, led by researcher José Luis de Paz and research technique Gloria Gutiérrez, were held at IES Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente and IES Leonardo da Vinci, where pupils were able to explore various concepts in chemistry through hands-on, participatory experiments.
- A third workshop, run by Antonio Romero and Juan José Moreno and aimed at pupils at IES San Jerónimo, during which the students learnt about some of the applications of chemistry and the research being carried out in this field.
- A guided tour of the Institute of Chemical Research, during which pupils from IES Azahar had the opportunity to find out how our institute works. During the tour, researchers Irene Caro and Juan Miranda showed the pupils round the institute’s laboratories, explained some of the IIQ’s areas of research and shared with them what day-to-day scientific work involves.
Through this involvement, the IIQ reaffirms its commitment to science communication that is accessible, inclusive and open to the whole of society. Through initiatives such as ‘Science in the Neighbourhood’, the institute helps to bring research to new audiences, encourage an interest in science amongst young people, and demonstrate that science can be a tool for creating opportunities and reducing inequalities.