ICTA-UAB joins the “Young&Science” program of the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation

The Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB) will participate in the “Youth & Science” program of the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation which aims at promoting scientific careers among young people.

Addressed to 15 and 16 year old students, it’s a 3 years program. In the first year, a group of selected high ability students participates in a summer science program. The students spend their time in a residential centre in the MónNatura Pirineus working with real researchers and getting involved in one of the projects of their interest. This is their first contact with real research. After this period they will have to write a scientific article with the help of their mentors as if it was going to be published. This article needs to be handed in by January and it is a requirement to continue participating in the program for the following 2 years.

In the 2nd year, students join real research projects at the centres of their choice. By the end of the year they must publish a scientific article with the help of their mentors. Two students will join ICTA-UAB this summer in the second phase of the program to develop their research on pollen and spore levels, and the contribution of indigenous peoples in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

In the 3rd year, those students who have managed to publish their article, will have the opportunity to participate in an International or National research project of their interest. They will identify the research team they want to join, and the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation will support and finance it. There are many different opportunities in national and international centres including the London International Youth Science Forum (UK), Petnica International Summer Science Program (Serbia), International Summer Science Institute (ISSI) (Israel) and Research Science Institut Summer program (RSI).