‘BeZientzia’: 200 Schoolchildren Become Scientists for a Day

On October 28th and 29th, the ‘BeZientzia’ science fair took place in Bilbao, bringing together nearly 200 sixth-grade students from schools across Bizkaia. BCMaterials was one of the four organizing institutions, alongside Achucarro – Basque Center for Neuroscience, BC3 – Basque Center for Climate Change, and BCAM – Basque Center for Applied Mathematics. All four centers are part of the BERC (Basque Excellence Research Centers) network in Bizkaia.

‘BeZientzia’ was organized as a series of hands-on workshops that turned the students into scientists for a day. Participants explored scientific approaches to mathematics, calculated their carbon footprints, and learned to identify Bizkaia’s ecosystems. They also studied food genetics and, in the case of BCMaterials, discovered how new materials can help clean and add value to water resources.

MOFs in Action

Researchers from BCMaterials explained the principles behind metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Thanks to their porous structure and tunable chemical properties, MOFs can capture pollutants from water—such as heavy metals and PFAS—and enable the recovery of valuable elements for industrial reuse, including gold, lithium, and cobalt.

The activity proved highly rewarding for both organizers and participants. Its main objective was to spark curiosity about science and inspire students to consider scientific studies at a stage when they are beginning to think about their future academic paths. Following the recommendations of numerous studies in education and psychology, engaging students at ages 11–12 is crucial to help them see science as both an attainable and appealing career option.