The Deza region will host the fourth edition of the science expo-fair ‘Science Has a Woman’s Name’, which will take place next Friday, May 30, in Lalín. For the first time, the fair will be held outside the cities where the University of Vigo campuses are located, with the aim of decentralizing science outreach and contributing to local development. With over 20 interactive activities, the fair seeks to spark scientific curiosity and promote STEM vocations among children and young people, while also engaging the general public. Through workshops, experiments, talks, art, and performances, the event invites attendees to discover that science also happens outside laboratories and is part of everyday life, while also aiming to highlight female role models in research by showcasing the work of women scientists from UVigo.
With various activities throughout the day, the fair will be held both inside and outside the sociocultural building on Manuel Rivero Street, which hosted the event’s presentation this past Friday. Attendees included the mayor of Lalín, José Crespo; the Vice-Rector for Research and Knowledge Transfer, Belén Rubio; the Vice-Rector for Communication and Institutional Relations, Mónica Valderrama; the Provincial Deputy for Equality, Sandra Bastos; and the Councilor for Equality, Carmen Canda.
Inspiring vocations by bringing science to the streets
Organized by the University’s Unit for Scientific Culture and Innovation (UCC+I), as part of the annual program ‘Science Back and Forth’, the fair is funded by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) – Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, and the Provincial Council of Pontevedra, with the collaboration of the local council. Rubio emphasized that the goal is to bring “the work we do at the University to all citizens, especially children.” With that in mind, after three successful editions in Vigo and Pontevedra, the 2025 edition aims to “reach areas farther from the campuses,” with the goal, Rubio said, of “spreading our knowledge and inspiring scientific vocations” among young people, especially girls.
Along the same lines, Valderrama highlighted the importance of giving “visibility to women scientists” through an event that allows direct contact with researchers, contributing to “the beautiful task of bringing science to the streets in a very accessible language.” José Crespo emphasized the importance of taking “this initiative outside the cities,” turning Lalín into “the Galician science capital on the 30th.” Bastos also stressed that holding the event in Lalín is “another step toward democratizing access to science” in the province. The deputy also noted that although “women make up the majority of university students, they are still a minority” in STEM fields, “not due to lack of ability or interest, but because of stereotypes, gender roles, and social barriers that continue to influence young women’s educational choices.” Canda added that this makes it necessary to “show role models to young people.”
More than 20 activities for all audiences
The Vice-Rector for Communication and Institutional Relations presented the program for the day, which will begin in the morning with a visit from 180 fifth- and sixth-grade students from five local schools: CEIP Varela Buxán, Vicente Arias de la Maza, Xesús Golmar, Manuel Rivero, and Xoaquín Loriga. At the same time, around 60 fourth-year secondary students will take part in workshops on misinformation, mathematics, and global and local sustainability.
In the afternoon, the fair will open to the general public, with free admission. Starting at 4:00 p.m., 24 workshops and interactive stands will fill various indoor and outdoor spaces of the sociocultural building, offering participatory experiences: educational games, experiments, innovative technologies, math challenges, art, object exchange, and even a satellite model or a single-seater vehicle built by university students.
CINTECX participates with three stands
The Applied Geotechnologies Group (Xeotech) and the Bioengineering and Sustainable Processes Group from CINTECX are once again participating in the fair with the following stands:
ARTIFICIAL GEOINTELLIGENCE AND DIGITAL TWINS
XEOTECH | CINTECX
Explore with us how cutting-edge technology helps us understand and better care for our environment. From improved road safety to the modeling and digitization of water resources, thanks to digital twins. Discover the results of the Roads2Win and E-Hydro projects.
CREATE, DEGRADE, AND TRANSFORM
BIOSUV | CINTECX
Did you know there are less polluting alternatives for water treatment? Learn surprising techniques to remove contaminants from our water.
GEOTECHNOLOGIES FOR DIGITIZATION AND AUGMENTED REALITY IN DECISION-MAKING
XEOTECH | CINTECX
Get ready for an interactive journey through the present and future of engineering. From early detection of damage in reinforced concrete to augmented reality for visualizing 3D environments and assisting operators in real time. Discover the results of the OVERSIGHT and SUMARE projects.