BCMaterials took part on 26 and 27 October in BeZientzia, a science fair held at the Ensanche building in Bilbao. It brought together the five BERC research centres of Bizkaia: Achucarro, BC3, BCAM, Biofisika Institute and BCMaterials. In this third edition, more than 250 primary school pupils from Bizkaia experimented with neuroscience, climate change, mathematics, materials, biomedicine and biotechnology.

On 25 September, BCMaterials took part in a new edition of the European Researchers’ Night, organised by the University of the Basque Country at El Arenal in Bilbao.

Through a series of fun experiments for visitors of all ages, our centre’s stand showcased the work we carry out on advanced materials for energy generation and storage, biomedicine and biotechnology, environmental detection and remediation, and sensors and actuators for digital transformation.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Emakumeak Zientzian (Women in Science) initiative, which brings together more than 30 Basque organizations (universities, research centers, companies…) to host science outreach activities during the International Week of Women and Girls in Science. BCMaterials joins this celebration not only as a member of the Emakumeak Zientzian coordinating team for the third consecutive year, but also through several activities included in the programme.

Our Marie Curie postdoctoral researcher, Maibelin Rosales, is one of the featured speakers in the 'STEMlab Podcast' series, promoted by Diputación Foral de Bizkaia’s BizkaiaTech. The goal of these podcasts is to showcase the work of women (scientists, teachers, and other professionals) and inspire young students to pursue careers in the STEAM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), if they wish.

BCMaterials presented its research work on new materials through additive manufacturing within the framework of one of the 'First Lego League' tournaments that took place in the Basque Country on March 2. We participated in the science and technology stands that were installed at the Vitoria-Gasteiz tournament, organized by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU).

BCMaterials has participated since this year as one of the coordinating entities of the Emakumeak Zientzian (Women in Science) initiative. As a result of a collective effort, Emakumeak Zientzian annually develops an extensive program of activities around the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This year Emakumeak Zientzian reaches its eighth edition offering more than 60 activities including visits, workshops, talks and round tables, exhibitions, film screenings, STEM training...

BCMaterials participated prominently in 'Science Week' 2023, organized by the UPV/EHU, which took place from November 8 to 12. During those five days, the center organized a stand ('science corner’) at the Bizkaia Aretoa in Bilbao, which received hundreds of visitors, mainly students and families.

The TV3 (Catalonian television) program 'Kanviem?', dedicated to the consequences of climate change, features in its episode entitled “Electronic waste” the research in ecodesigned batteries developed by the group of Juan Pablo Esquivel, Ikerbasque Research Associate at BCMaterials.

BCMaterials, as part of its work to support and develop scientific outreach, collaborates for another year with Zientziaz Blai. This event, organized by the Logos Elkartea association, seeks to bring scientific knowledge to neighbourhoods where, for various reasons, the cultural offer does not reach.

BCMaterials had an outstanding participation in the Europe Open Day celebrated in Brussels in early May as ambassadors of the MSCA-RISE Action in the Water and Oceans Missions stand at the event. Our researchers Roberto Fernández de Luis, María Calles and Leire Celaya represented our center, which acts as secondee and coordinator of the INDESMOF-RISE-MSCA action and partners of Tailing23Green and SOLARSENIC projects.