IFAE has concluded an intensive programme of summer educational activities that brought around 100 students to the institute throughout July. Through lectures, practical workshops and research stays, participants had the opportunity to explore fundamental physics and learn first-hand how research is carried out at IFAE.

The programme began with three editions of the Summer Courses for Secondary School Students, organised by the Institut de Ciències de l’Educació (ICE) of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. During these week-long courses, high-school students were introduced to different areas of fundamental physics through talks, hands-on activities and direct interaction with IFAE researchers.

The sessions involved researchers and members of the institute including Antonio Rivera, Emerson M. Díaz, Pere Masjuan and Sebastián Grinschpun, among others. The activities were designed to make complex scientific concepts accessible while encouraging students to ask questions, experiment and engage directly with the research community.

On 1 July, IFAE also welcomed the participants in the IFAE Summer Fellowships programme. Throughout the month, undergraduate students worked alongside IFAE researchers on projects related to the institute’s different research areas. At the beginning of their stay, they received an official welcome and took part in a guided tour of IFAE’s facilities and the Port d’Informació Científica (PIC). The fellows will also have the opportunity to present the results of their projects to the IFAE community later in the year.

Another central activity was the Barcelona International Youth Science Challenge (BIYSC), which brought 13 students from Spain and abroad to IFAE for a two-week research experience. The IFAE BIYSC project was led by members of the Gamma-ray group —Juan Jiménez, Sarah Wagner and Giulio Lucchetta— together with Laia Cardiel from the Technical Division. Participants built a muon detector, explored the physics of cosmic rays and learned about the instruments and technologies used in IFAE research.

Through this hands-on experience, the programme aimed to foster curiosity, collaboration and critical thinking, while giving students an opportunity to experience the different stages of a scientific project.

On Friday, 17 July, the BIYSC participants presented their work to students from the programme’s other 15 projects during the closing ceremony, held at the Aula Magna of the University of Barcelona’s Faculty of Law.

The summer programme also included a new group of students from Joves i Ciència – Phase 2, who completed a two-week research stay at IFAE. During their time at the institute, the students worked with researchers and gained direct insight into the daily activities, methods and collaborative environment of a research centre. Together, these initiatives reflect IFAE’s commitment to science education and to creating opportunities for young people to engage directly with fundamental physics. By opening its laboratories and research activities to students, IFAE aims to encourage scientific curiosity and support the next generation of researchers.