On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11F), the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Plants (IBMCP, UPV–CSIC) has organised a range of outreach activities aimed at children, reaffirming its commitment to gender equality, science communication and education.
On the one hand, on Tuesday, 10 February, the IBMCP will open its doors to welcome 5th-grade primary school students from CEIP Les Sitges (Burjassot). This initiative, organised by the Institute’s Equality Committee, aims to bring scientific research closer to the school environment and to highlight the role of women in science. To this end, a programme has been designed that includes outreach talks, participatory meetings with female researchers, scientific workshops, and a guided tour of the Institute’s laboratories and facilities. In total, around 35 students will take part in this educational day, which seeks to foster scientific vocations from an early age and promote a more inclusive science.
On the other hand, on Monday 9 and Thursday 12 February, several female researchers from the IBMCP will carry out two science workshops at ACOEC (Association for Cooperation Between Communities), an NGO located in the Benimaclet neighbourhood of the city of Valencia. These workshops are aimed at children aged 9 to 15 who attend the Assisted Study Groups of the CaixaProinfancia Programme of Fundación La Caixa. The activities will consist of microscopy-based practical sessions designed to introduce children to the scientific world, while emphasising the role of women scientists.
In addition, within the framework of the 11F, Rosa Porcel, researcher and Deputy Director of the IBMCP, has been interviewed together with the winners of the most recent UPV Research Awards. Rosa Porcel received the 2025 UPV Research Award in the category of Science Communication, and in this interview she shares how her interest in science began, reflects on her professional career, and offers advice to girls who may wish to pursue a future in science.
The IBMCP and its female researchers, united to give visibility to the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
