The UV-Tirant node (University of Valencia) of the Spanish Supercomputing Network (RES) has joined the national program "We Are Researchers", an educational initiative promoted and coordinated by the Barcelona Supercomputing Center – National Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS). This program is designed to spark interest in science and technology among 3rd and 4th grade students, with a special emphasis on encouraging scientific vocations among girls.
The adhesion of UV-Tirant to this initiative reinforces its commitment to fostering STEM vocations and reducing the gender gap in these disciplines. This commitment is also reflected in other actions carried out by the University of Valencia, such as the “Girls4STEM” project, whose main objective is to promote vocations in the STEM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) among the general public and, in particular, among girls; the “Meitner Project. Remembering Lise Meitner” promoted together with the Institute of Corpuscular Physics (IFIC) of the CSIC, which seeks to recover and revalue the contribution of the great pioneers of Nuclear and Particle Physics through the figure of Lise Meitner; or the “Chair of Digital Gender Gap”, which, in agreement with the Generalitat Valenciana, aims to address the existing digital gap between men and women in the Valencian Community.
"We Are Researchers" offers inspiring and playful educational experiences through guided visits to supercomputing centers, where students can see up close some of the most powerful computers in the country. During their visit to the UV-Tirant node, girls and boys will understand, through play, how supercomputing allows us to answer fundamental questions about the universe and other current scientific challenges.
“This initiative, in line with the actions previously developed by the University of Valencia, aims to promote the approach to science at an early age, and especially scientific interest and vocation among girls,” says Jose Manuel Claver, coordinator of the UV-Tirant node.
The choice of students aged 8 to 10 responds to studies indicating that it is at this age when gender stereotypes begin to consolidate, which can influence girls’ distancing from scientific and technological disciplines.
The participation of the Tirant node of the University of Valencia (UV-Tirant) in this initiative has the support and funding of the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), which has made it possible to expand this educational proposal, born at the BSC, to the national territory.
With seven editions behind it and more than 50,000 participants, the "We Are Researchers" program has been recognized with two awards for its educational and social impact. The UV-Tirant node thus joins a group of committed institutions, among which are:
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center – National Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS)
- Galicia Supercomputing Center (CESGA)
- Extremadura Consortium of Advanced Technological Services (COMPUTAEX)
- Navarra Services and Information Technologies (NASERTIC)
- Supercomputing and Scientific Computing Center of Castilla y León (SCAYLE)
- Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM)
- University of Cantabria (UC)
- University of Zaragoza (UZ)
- Port d'Informació Científica (PIC)
- Consortium of University Services of Catalonia (CSUC)
Thanks to this activity, students will be able to explore key concepts such as: what is a supercomputer?, what are simulations for?, and what does programming mean?, helping to generate role models and interest in an area that needs more female talent. Currently, only 13% of female students in Spain choose STEM careers, a figure that drops to 3% in ICT fields, and only 28% of the STEM workforce is made up of women.
More information:
We are researchers
