BCMaterials Activities at Emakumeak Zientzian (Women in Science)

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.

School Visits for Primary School Students

On 9 and 10 February, the centre will open its doors for school visits. Unlike previous years, when the activities were aimed at secondary school students, this edition will focus on pupils in the upper grades of primary education. The objective is to make an early impact by fostering interest in science through engaging examples of the daily work carried out by the centre’s researchers, challenging gender stereotypes related to girls’ and boys’ abilities in science, and raising awareness of the key role that materials science plays in everyday life.

BCMaterials will offer a total of 120 places over the two days. Registration for this activity, as well as for all activities included in the programme, is now open on the Emakumeak Zientzian website: https://emakumeakzientzian.eus/es/programa-2026/

Talks in ‘Women Scientists of Yesterday and Today’

On 3 February, the official opening day of the Emakumeak Zientzian programme—which features more than 70 activities—our researcher affiliated with the University of the Basque Country (EHU), Janire Sáez, will take part in the lecture series of talks ‘Emakume Zientzilariak: Atzo eta Gaur’ (‘Women Scientists of Yesterday and Today’). These talks will be held simultaneously at 6:00 p.m. in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Donostia–San Sebastián, and Bilbao. Sáez will deliver her talk in Bilbao, at the Ensanche Building.

In this series, female scientists carrying out their research in the Basque Country will present their work and reflect on both historical and contemporary women scientists who inspire them, offering a passionate and personal perspective on science.

Back to School

BCMaterials researchers will also participate in another inspiring initiative that brings scientists into primary and secondary school classrooms to share their experience and encourage scientific vocations, particularly among female students. Our researchers Goizane Sot, Ana Gómez, Maibelín Rosales, and Itziar Oyarzabal will take part in the programme Back to School, which will run during the final four months of the 2025–2026 academic year.