As every year, the Institute of Corpuscular Physics (IFIC), a joint centre of the CSIC and the Universitat de València, celebrated 11 February, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This date was established by the United Nations General Assembly to promote full and equal access to and participation of women and girls in science.

The IFIC Equality and Diversity Committee (CID) and the IFIC Communication and Outreach Committee organised a variety of activities to encourage future generations to join the scientific community, particularly in the field of physics.

Meeting between researchers and school students at the Museu de les Ciències

On the morning of 11 February, the Santiago Grisolía Auditorium at the Museu de les Ciències in the City of Arts and Sciences in València hosted an engaging meeting between researchers and school students, organised by the Regional Directorate General for Equality. IFIC researchers Berta Rubio and Laura Molina participated as speakers, sharing their personal and scientific journeys with 120 first- and second-year secondary school students. The session was interactive, with the students actively participating and contributing their ideas and questions throughout the event. Blanca Vicent Beneito, coordinator of IFIC’s Science Communication and Outreach Department, acted as moderator.

Berta Rubio spoke about her coral research at the Oceanogràfic and presented an experiment on detecting environmental radioactivity and cosmic rays. Laura Molina, in turn, shared her career path and the experiments she has been involved in. Both researchers emphasised the importance of female talent and encouraged the students to pursue careers in STEM subjects, dispelling myths about their perceived difficulty.

Additionally, the Science Museum presented a live experiment using liquid nitrogen that captured the attention of all attendees.

11F Masterclass on the ATLAS Experiment

Coordinated by Miriam Lucio, an IFIC researcher and CID member, this activity involved 72 secondary school students from various schools across the Valencian Community. It took place at the Faculty of Physics and the Faculty of Mathematics, as well as in the Assembly Hall of the Main Building at the Universitat de València Science Park.

The masterclass included introductory talks about the Faculty of Physics at the University of València, the IFIC, and particle physics. These were delivered by IFIC staff. These were followed by a hands-on session analysing real data from the ATLAS experiment at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

After the afternoon talks, the students exchanged views on the role of women in science during a lecture by Lola Cortina, a CSIC researcher and IFIC Deputy Director. The day concluded with a videoconference moderated by two ATLAS researchers from CERN, during which the students shared their results with other schools in Rome, Cosenza and Prague. The students were able to ask questions and interpret the results together.

Interview on À Punt Ràdio

Meanwhile, Màriam Tórtola, Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of València and a member of the IFIC, appeared on the À Punt Ràdio programme Amunt i Avall. She spoke about the lack of female role models during her time as a student, and emphasised the importance of retaining female talent at the highest levels of the research career path. She urged the public sector to implement measures to address this issue, emphasising the importance of diversity of perspectives and of tackling work–life balance challenges.

Talks at Secondary Schools and Primary Schools

As part of the 11 February initiative, talks are being organised in educational centres throughout Spain. IFIC's CID has delivered a variety of presentations in secondary (IES) and primary (CEIP) schools as part of the 11 February commemoration to encourage girls to pursue careers in science.

Several IFIC researchers, all of whom are members of the CID, have delivered these talks: Raquel Molina at IES Benetússer (València); Agnese Tolino at CEIP Albereda (València); and Màriam Tórtola at IES Broch i Llop (Vila-real). Additionally, on Tuesday, 17 February, Carmen García, CSIC researcher at IFIC, will give a talk at IES Beatriu Civera in Aldaia.

Activity at the National Museum of Science and Technology of Spain

Finally, Carmen García, a CSIC Research Professor at IFIC and recipient of the 'Blas Cabrera' National Research Award in Physics, took part in an event with school students at the National Museum of Science and Technology of Spain (MUNCYT) in Alcobendas, alongside the Minister for Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant. The event recognised the essential contribution of women to knowledge and to the progress of our country.

According to the minister, 'As a society, we have a responsibility to challenge stereotypes, establish role models, and ensure that no girl ever believes that science is not for her. Committing to equality in science means committing to a better future for everyone”. She added: 'For too long, the talent of women scientists has been present, but not always visible.'