The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) once again took part in Repte Experimenta, a science outreach programme funded by FECYT and led by the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) and aimed at students aged 11 to 13. As one of the project’s partner institutions, ICIQ contributed to several stages of the initiative and, as in previous years, hosted the winning teams at its outreach and educational laboratory for a hands-on scientific workshop.
This edition of the programme, which ran throughout the 2024–2025 academic year, involved around 900 students. Over four guided sessions, student teams developed their own experiments using everyday materials. Each team was mentored by scientific advisors from collaborating institutions. From ICIQ, the collaborators were Laura Hernández Eguía, Joan Guillem Mayans, Marta Llorens i Fons, Anna Arnanz Canti and Joan V. Estornell.
The final event, Fira Experimenta 2025, took place on 6 June at URV’s Sescelades campus. Around 150 students attended the fair divided into 35 teams who showcased their projects to the general public and a panel of judges from different institutions and companies.
As part of the prize, the winning teams visited ICIQ’s facilities, where they participated in a scape room at the outreach lab. The session allowed students to carry out real chemistry experiments and gain a deeper understanding of the scientific method.
“It’s always inspiring to welcome young students who are genuinely curious and enthusiastic about science,” said Laura Hernández Eguía, Manager of the ICIQ Comunication and Outreach unit. “By giving them access to a real research environment, we hope to encourage their interest in science and show them that chemistry is not only useful, but also exciting and creative.
“We believe in learning by doing — because it’s by touching, testing, and experimenting that knowledge truly takes root. The Repte Experimenta a l’aula project brings science to life for students, transforming classrooms into spaces of active exploration. When students build hypotheses, conduct hands-on experiments, and observe real outcomes, concepts stop being abstract and become meaningful. This is where true learning happens,” added Barbara Vastenavond, executive director of Repte Experimenta.
Repte Experimenta, launched in 2019, has been promoted by the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) and collaborates with Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia, the Institute for Agrifood Research and Technology, and the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology – Ministry of Science and Innovation for its public sector involvement. On the private side, it is supported by ELIX Polymers, BASF, DuPont Water Solutions, Messer Ibérica, Ercros, URAIS, Gomà-Camps, BioTech BioSecurity, and the Tarragona Water Consortium (CAT). The project promotes inquiry-based learning and science communication among early secondary-school students through creative, team-based experimentation.
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