ALBA Synchrotron

English.

More than 150 high school students from Barcelona have visited the ALBA Synchrotron in an event aimed at fighting against stereotypes and prejudices linked to research environments. The event, which had the support of the Barcelona City Council, has been open by the first Deputy Mayor of Barcelona, Mr. Gerardo Pisarello.

Cerdanyola del Vallès, 13th December 2017

. The near future will demand more professionals with skills in science and technology. However, women in STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) only represent 15% of all the university undergraduates, according to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport for the period 2015-2016.

With the aim of stimulating scientific vocations, guaranteeing gender equality and opportunities and avoiding clichés that separate women from scientific and technological environments, the ALBA Synchrotron has launched the STEM Preparades project. It consisted of a series of workshops where women scientists and engineers from ALBA came to the classrooms, complemented by a visit where students had the opportunity to know in first-hand the job and workspace of the ALBA staff, as well as doing hands-on activities related to synchrotron light.

A total of 154 students from secondary public schools from Barcelona have taken part. The project has been developed with the help of Eduxarxa and the support of the European project Hypatia, which has developed resources for schools, museums and research and industry centres to reach gender equality in science and technology.

Gerardo Pisarello, first Deputy Mayor of Barcelona, has opened the event, addressing some words about the importance of science for the society. This project is supported by the Barcelona City Council that has launched the "Barcelona Ciutat Digital" Plan. One of its goals is to promote scientific vocations and social inclusion through technology.

The event has been closed by Caterina Biscari, director of the ALBA Synchrotron, who has encouraged the students about the beauty of science and the great possibilities that offers to them in the near future. "Reaching young students is the key for showing them since the very beginning that men and women have the same capabilities for science or technology," says about the project Caterina Biscari.

This project is an initiative of the ALBA Synchrotron, included in its scientific outreach program.