As part of the celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, on Sunday, 9th February, more than 2,500 people enjoyed the Women and Girls in Science Festival, an event organised by the Sant Pau Research Institute (IR Sant Pau) to bring science closer to everyone and to encourage scientific vocations among girls and young people. The Panoramic Area of Tibidabo Amusement Park was transformed into a large open-air laboratory, where researchers shared their passion with the public through experiments, workshops, and interactive activities.
With more than 20 workshops and educational activities, involving over 60 professionals and volunteers from Sant Pau, families had the opportunity to enjoy a unique day, combining learning with fun.
Dr Jordi Surrallés, Director of IR Sant Pau, highlighted the significance of such initiatives: “At IR Sant Pau, we celebrate this event as an opportunity to recognise and promote female talent in all areas of research, convinced that a diversity of perspectives enriches science and drives innovation.”
He also emphasised the need to ensure equal opportunities for all female researchers. “It is essential to actively encourage girls and young women to participate in scientific projects and to provide an inclusive and diverse environment that fosters significant progress in public health.”
The “Mariona Researcher” project is an educational and outreach initiative developed by IR Sant Pau. Mariona is a character who represents an eight-year-old girl passionate about science and medicine, whose mission is to inspire children and young people to explore the world of scientific research. At this age, many girls tend to lose interest in science, partly due to persisting stereotypes and a lack of female role models—an issue that this project aims to address.
The project also highlights the role of women in science, showcasing real-life examples of female researchers who share their professional and personal experiences to promote gender equality in the field.
At IR Sant Pau, a continuous dialogue with society is fostered, aligned with its Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) plan and its goals for Scientific Education and Public Engagement. As a CERCA centre and an accredited Unit of Scientific Culture and Innovation (UCC+i) by FECYT, its commitment to bringing research closer to the public is unwavering. As the only research institute in Catalonia with a transversal gender research programme, IR Sant Pau is at the forefront of the latest scientific advancements and highlights the importance of gender-sensitive research and the role of women in the future of science.
Meanwhile, Tibidabo Amusement Park, known for its dedication to educational and social projects, collaborates with various organisations to promote socially impactful initiatives. In this context, the park provided an ideal setting to showcase the work of IR Sant Pau to families.
Several companies also participated in the celebration of the Women and Girls in Science Festival. Casio, through its Women Do Science project, designed special edition calculators featuring Mariona, which were distributed to children wearing wristbands from other events. Additionally, Grupo Julià facilitated the event’s logistics, while Ametller Origen Fundació, 4M, MODIband Projectes Culturals, Technovation Girls Catalonia, Funky Fun Crew, and DiR supported the organisation of various activities, making this an inspiring and unforgettable day.
