The Department of Social Inclusion, Youth, Families, and Equality, through the Andalusian Women’s Institute (IAM) and the Andalusian Youth Institute (IAJ), once again participates in the Science Fair, held from April 22 to 24 at the Congress and Exhibition Center in Seville, with the aim of encouraging and promoting scientific and technological vocations in girls and young people. This edition coincides with the commemoration on April 24 of the International Day of Girls in ICT.
In collaboration with WomANDigital from the Digital Agency of Andalusia, CTA (Technological Corporation of Andalusia), and Ellas Vuelan Alto (EVA), the stand shared by the Andalusian Women’s Institute 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 field of STEM, that is, disciplines related to 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, and promoted by WomANDigital. This performance will teach how to protect identity in the future European Digital Identity Wallet. It will explain visually and accessibly how crypto-biometrics based on face and vein recognition works, combined with hardware solutions capable of withstanding attacks even from quantum computers.
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 sector and is implementing new innovative processes through the Andalusia 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 carry out 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, the 23rd, 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 extinguishers’. Esperanza Fitz Luna, from Gerex, and María Reyes Carrasco Rodríguez, from Pressure Equipment Management and Recycling, will explain the process of recycling and recovering the 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 (Technological Corporation of Andalusia) 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, such as the AeroSTREAM project focused on aerial robotics, WELDIFY focused on new learning methods for welding, and ULTFARMS seeking to improve the aquaculture production chain in offshore wind farms, it will show how collaboration in R&D allows transferring research results to the market through advanced technological solutions.
At the same time, the association Ellas Vuelan Alto will present an activity aimed at promoting STEM vocations among students, with special attention to the role of women in the field of aeronautical maintenance. Along with the associated company SURAVIAN, Elisabet Rogerio Camino and Esperanza Camino Mesta will conduct practical workshops on assembling aircraft electrical circuits, where students can interact with real components and observe authentic aircraft 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 the Dissemination of Science (SADC), is an exhibition space where the world of research, educational centers, museums, companies, universities, and the general public come together with the aim of exchanging, disseminating, and communicating scientific, technical, and environmental knowledge. This year marks its 23rd edition.
