IPHES-CERCA researchers take part in several activities related to the International Day of Women and Girls in Science

As part of the celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on Tuesday, 11 February, researchers from the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES-CERCA) and the Prehistory Area of the Rovira i Virgili University (URV) have taken part in several activities during the week. These are listed below:

Participation in the #científiques programme

The #científiques project is an initiative of the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation (FCRI) and the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), with the collaboration of the Department of Education of the Government of Catalonia. This year it is presented with a new identity, leaving behind #100tífiques to become #científiques.

This change reflects the fact that there are now far more than 100 professionals inspiring boys and girls in classrooms, helping to overcome gender stereotypes and highlighting the talent of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Among many others, in 2025 the programme will include the participation of the following IPHES-CERCA researchers and technicians:

• Dr Marina Lozano: Institut El Morell (Tarragona). 1st year of secondary education.
• Clara Mielgo: Escola Vora Mar (Salou). 6th grade of primary school.
• Dr Amèlia Bargalló: Escola Enxaneta (Valls). 5th and 6th grades of primary school.
• Dr Claudia Speciale: Escola Pia (Balaguer). 1st year of secondary education.
• Andrea Alías: Roda de Berà Secondary School. 1st year of secondary education.
• Dr Rosa Huguet: Institut Narcís Oller (Valls). 1st year of secondary education.
• Dr Maria Joana Gabucio: Escola Ventura Gassol (El Morell). Two workshops for I5 pupils (final year of preschool).

These talks aim to bring science closer to schools by highlighting the contribution of women researchers working in research centres, universities and companies, and to encourage scientific vocations among boys and girls across the country while breaking down gender stereotypes.

During their sessions, the researchers explained the basics of their research as well as aspects of their daily and professional lives, in order to present a realistic image of scientific careers and encourage interest in science. They spoke about their motivations for pursuing science, their personal and professional paths, their fields of expertise, how they apply them and for what purpose.

Participation in the “IPHES in Schools” project

Next Friday, 14 February, Dr Amèlia Bargalló will give the workshop “Cultural Evolution in Prehistory” to 4th-grade pupils at Escola Les Codinetes (La Nou de Gaià). This activity is part of the outreach programme “IPHES in Schools”, which has been promoted by IPHES-CERCA for the past 14 years.

On Tuesday, 18 February, Andrea Alías, outreach technician at IPHES-CERCA, will deliver the workshop “Archaeolab: discovering prehistory” to 1st-year secondary school students at the Institut de Caldes de Malavella (Girona).

Many more activities!

Last Friday, 7 February, Dr Marina Lozano, Valentina Lubrano and Maria Boada took part in the activity “Mujeres que brillan como estrellas” held at Plaza de la Constitución in Manzanares.

Also on Friday, 7 February, Dr Ethel Allué participated in a series of science workshops and a snack event at Institut Escola l’Arrabassada (Tarragona) as part of the FEM+CIÈNCIA project.

On Tuesday, 11 February, Andrea Alías, outreach technician at IPHES-CERCA, will deliver the workshop “Zooarchaeology: studying the relationship between animals and people” at Brians Prison (Sant Esteve de Sesrovires) as part of the project “Extended Learning Time V: Contributing to the creation of scientific vocations in vulnerable environments”, led by the Department of Pedagogy of Rovira i Virgili University.

Andrea Alías will also lead the intergenerational workshop “Who was Venus?” next Friday, 14 February, at the Unió de Dones de Montroig del Camp centre.