CINTECX strengthens its commitment to scientific education by hosting multiple STEMBach projects from the Vigo and Baiona area

The Research Center for Technologies, Energy and Industrial Processes (CINTECX) continues to consolidate its position as a benchmark in scientific outreach and practical training for secondary and high‑school students. Over the past month, several educational centers from the Vigo, Nigrán and Baiona area visited the center’s facilities to develop their STEMBach projects, an initiative that promotes early research and direct contact with multidisciplinary scientific teams.

The IES Primeiro de Marzo of Baiona investigates water decontamination and green hydrogen production

At the end of January, two groups from the IES Primeiro de Marzo of Baiona, part of the STEM 2025–2027 program, worked at CINTECX accompanied by research staff. On one hand, coordinated by the researchers from the BIOSUV group, Marta Pazos and Aida Díez, they are developing the project “Ecodesign and regeneration of materials for wastewater decontamination.” During the session, students became familiar with advanced laboratory equipment and carried out the degradation of a colored effluent using the Fenton reaction, an advanced oxidation technique used to remove organic pollutants.

The project explores the use of natural clays as adsorbent materials capable of retaining emerging contaminants — pesticides, pharmaceuticals, microplastics and other compounds — and evaluates the possibility of regenerating them by combining adsorption processes with advanced oxidation. This line of work aligns with SDGs 6 and 12, focused on the sustainable management of water and natural resources.

In parallel, students from the same school advanced in their project “Structured metallic networks for green hydrogen production.” This research focuses on the study of Metal‑Organic Frameworks (MOFs), especially bimetallic ones, as catalysts to optimize the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) and the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) in electrolysis. The goal is to improve the efficiency of green hydrogen production, one of the key energy vectors for industrial decarbonization.

Visits from Colegio Lar and Colegio Montecastelo

In addition to the IES Primeiro de Marzo, CINTECX recently welcomed a group of students from Colegio Lar, in a visit led by the school’s principal, Ángeles Sanromán, and also coordinated by the BIOSUV group. The students had the opportunity to carry out

laboratory experiments, learn chemical analysis techniques and approach applied research with the support of the center’s technical staff. They were also able to test the beta version of the game “Green Alert: save your school with the CINTECX mission”, funded by the FECYT Call for the Promotion of Scientific Culture and Innovation.

Students from Colegio Montecastelo also visited the center as part of the same STEMBach initiative. On this occasion, the activity was guided by researcher Pedro Arias, who accompanied the students through scientific experiences related to their project and introduced them to working methodologies used in the research carried out by the GeoTech group.

A learning ecosystem that connects science and society

The visits and projects developed at CINTECX reflect the growing interaction between the educational sphere and the research environment. For the center, these activities represent an opportunity to bring science closer to society, promote STEM vocations and showcase the impact that research in technologies, energy and industrial processes can have on global challenges such as water pollution or the energy transition.

The research team highlights the level of curiosity, initiative and critical thinking shown by the participating students, who face real problems, propose solutions and learn directly in a professional laboratory environment.