Noelia Flórez takes part in a Women and Girls in Science Day event for primary school students
On 19 March, researcher Noelia Flórez took part as a speaker in an event organised by Ponferrada City Council to mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Held at Casa de la Cultura, the event brought together 5th and 6th grade pupils from CEIP Navaliegos, CEIP Campo de los Judíos, CEIP Campo de la Cruz, CEIP Peñalba and CEIP La Inmaculada – Concepcionistas.
Almost 200 children attended a presentation on how science has evolved in terms of the gender gap. The session highlighted the importance of continuing to build a more inclusive and equal scientific community, while encouraging students to believe in their own potential and to see science as a path open to everyone.
The event also featured a hands-on workshop on sphere formulation using sodium alginate, a natural compounds obtained from brown macroalgae. Through this activity, the children were able to see how a perfect sphere can be formed from two liquids, offering them a simple yet striking introduction to scientific experimentation.
Initiatives like this help spark an interest in science from an early age and underline the importance of outreach activities in bringing research closer to society.
