Education & Outreach
Physics of the Universe for All – School visits programme
Physics of the Universe for All
Physics of the Universe for All is IFAE’s school visits programme for secondary and upper secondary students. Through guided visits, outreach talks and interactive activities, the programme brings fundamental physics research closer to the classroom. Active for more than seven years, it forms part of the centre’s ongoing scientific outreach activities and is managed through the Escolab platform, which facilitates access to educational research activities for schools. The programme offers students first-hand insight into how contemporary physics research is carried out and the role it plays in understanding the Universe and driving technological development.
Physics of the Universe for All offers students the opportunity to engage directly with a research centre dedicated to the study of fundamental physics, experiencing a real scientific working environment. The programme is managed through the Escolab platform , which facilitates the registration and booking of educational research activities for secondary and upper secondary schools across Catalonia.
During the visit, major current challenges in fundamental physics and cosmology are presented in an accessible way. Students learn about the day-to-day work of researchers, from formulating scientific questions to data analysis and the interpretation of results, with a particular focus on how physics helps us understand the Universe.
For any enquiries, you can contact us by writing to comunicacio@ifae.es .
Pre-registration
Schools can register for Physics of the Universe for All during the announced period.
Selection process
Activities are assigned through a draw and schools are notified.
Activities at IFAE
School visits within the Physics of the Universe for All programme take place on the agreed dates.
Second registration phase
Schools can apply to take part in activities on dates that remained unassigned.
An introduction to physics research
The activities combine conceptual explanations with demonstrations and interactive resources, and are designed to complement the secondary and upper secondary curriculum. Physics of the Universe for All offers a realistic view of scientific research, emphasising the methods, tools and reasoning specific to physics, beyond the resolution of academic problems.
Encouraging scientific vocations and critical thinking
In addition to disseminating scientific knowledge, Physics of the Universe for All aims to foster critical thinking and spark interest in scientific and technological careers. Direct contact with research staff allows students to learn about different professional profiles and understand how physics contributes both to advancing knowledge and to the development of technologies with societal impact.
- Schools participating in the programme each year
- +20
- Students discover fundamental physics research with us each year
- +500
- Hours of activities offered to the educational community
- +60 hours
