The Ministry of Social Inclusion, Youth, Families, and Equality, through the Andalusian Institute for Women (IAM) and the Andalusian Youth Institute (IAJ), once again participates in the Science Fair, held from April 22 to 24 at the Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones in Seville, with the purpose of encouraging and promoting scientific and technological vocations in girls and young people. This edition coincides with the celebration of the International Day of Girls in ICT on April 24th.
In collaboration with WomANDigital from the Andalusian Digital Agency, CTA (Andalusian Technology Corporation), and Ellas Vuelan Alto (EVA), the stand shared by the Andalusian Institute for Women and the Andalusian Youth Institute will host different talks, experiments, and exhibitions aimed at the students and teachers present at this fair, all related to the STEM field, which includes disciplines in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
The program starts on April 22 at 10:00 with the demonstrative activity ‘Your identity in good hands: digital security with post-quantum biometrics’ by María Rosario Arjona López and Carlos Lancha Zarza from the Institute of Microelectronics of Seville (IMSE-CNM) at the University of Seville, sponsored by WomANDigital. This performance will teach how to protect identity in the future European Digital Identity Wallet. It will visually and accessibly explain how crypto-biometrics based on face and vein recognition, combined with hardware solutions capable of withstanding attacks even from quantum computers, work.
In parallel, Miriam Borondo Hughes and Manuel Rodríguez Rioboo from the company M2R AGROFARM will present an exhibition on the innovative processes of the insect farm. This agri-food sector company, specialized in mealworms, is a reference in its field and is implementing new innovative processes through the Andalucía Open Future accelerator. In 2022, it received a grant from the Innovactiva Program promoted by the Andalusian Youth Institute.
In the afternoon, from 15:30 to 18:30, WomANDigital and Rocío Porfirio Carpio from ACH Consulting will develop the demonstrative and visual activity ‘Photometer effect: measuring the life of oil’. Through this experience, students will discover the chemical reactions that occur during frying and how they affect food safety. A practical and scientific way to raise awareness about the importance of food quality control and health risk prevention.
Recycling, innovation, and science
On Wednesday, April 23, from 10:00 to 13:30, the program continues in collaboration with WomANDigital, focusing on sustainability through the activity ‘Rescuing materials: the journey of recycled fire extinguisher’. Esperanza Fitz Luna from Gerex and María Reyes Carrasco Rodríguez from Pressure Equipment Management and Recycling will explain the recycling and recovery process of different components of pressure equipment waste, creating a fertilizer additive and enabling reuse for the industry. A demonstration of how science is crucial for environmental care.
In the afternoon session, CTA (Andalusian Technology Corporation) joins this program to present its activity in European projects. From 15:00 to 19:00, CTA staff will explain to students the importance of European framework programs as drivers of business innovation. Through concrete examples like the AeroSTREAM project focused on aerial robotics, WELDIFY project focused on new learning methods for welding, and ULTFARMS project aiming to improve the aquaculture production chain in offshore wind farms, they will show how collaboration in R&D allows transferring research results to the market through products and advanced technological solutions.
At the same time, the association Ellas Vuelan Alto will present an activity aimed at promoting STEM vocations among students, with a special focus on the role of women in the field of aeronautical maintenance. With the associated company SURAVIAN, Elisabet Rogerio Camino and Esperanza Camino Mesta will conduct practical workshops for assembling aircraft electrical circuits, where students can interact with real components and observe authentic airplane parts. This activity will also take place on Thursday, April 24, throughout the day, from 10:00 to 20:00.
The Science Fair, organized by the Andalusian Society for Science Dissemination (SADC), is an exhibition space where the world of research, educational centers, museums, companies, universities, and the general public come together, aiming to exchange, disseminate, and communicate scientific, technical, and environmental knowledge. This year marks its 23rd edition.