The 2026 edition of Bojos per la Química, jointly organised by ICIQ and Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera, has come to an end after six months of activities designed to bring high school students closer to chemistry and scientific research.
Throughout the programme, students coming from different parts of Catalonia attended regular sessions at ICIQ, where they explored different areas of chemistry through laboratory activities, hands-on experiments and discussions with researchers. These experiences allowed them to discover how research is carried out, interact with scientists at different stages of their careers and gain first-hand insight into the many opportunities that chemistry can offer.
This year’s programme concluded with two special closing events that celebrated not only what students had learned, but also the community built throughout the experience.
The first took place at ICIQ, where students welcomed their families to the institute and became science communicators for a day. Through a series of experiments prepared and explained by the participants themselves, parents and relatives had the opportunity to experience first-hand some of the activities and concepts explored during the programme. The event offered a unique opportunity for students to share their enthusiasm for chemistry while demonstrating the knowledge, confidence and communication skills they had developed over the past months.
“The family closing event is always one of the highlights of the programme,” says Joan Guillem Mayans, coordinator of Bojos per la Química at ICIQ. “It is a chance for students to step into the role of communicators and share what they have learned with the people who have supported them throughout the experience. Seeing them explain experiments with confidence and enthusiasm is one of the clearest signs of how much they have grown during these months.”
A second closing event was held at Món Sant Benet, bringing together participants from all the Bojos per la Ciència programmes organised by Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera. The gathering allowed students from different scientific disciplines to present their projects, exchange experiences and discover the work carried out by their peers. For many participants, it was an inspiring opportunity to learn from students working in other fields and to gain a broader perspective on the diversity of scientific disciplines and careers.
Beyond the knowledge acquired during the sessions, Bojos per la Química also helps create lasting connections between students and the scientific community. Over the years, several former participants have maintained their relationship with ICIQ, returning to the institute for internships, master’s studies or doctoral research. Many continue to share their experiences with younger students, becoming ambassadors of the programme and encouraging future generations to explore careers in science.
“For many participants, Bojos per la Química is their first opportunity to step inside a research institute and discover what science looks like beyond the classroom,” says Laura Hernández, Head of Communication and Outreach at ICIQ. “Years later, some of them come back as students, researchers or collaborators. Seeing that progression reminds us that the impact of the programme goes far beyond the six months we spend together. In some cases, it is the beginning of a much longer journey with chemistry and with ICIQ.”
For many students, Bojos per la Química ends in June. For some, however, it marks the beginning of a much longer journey with chemistry and with ICIQ.
La entrada A touch of chemistry, a spark of madness: Bojos per la Química concludes another successful edition se publicó primero en ICIQ.