170 students present scientific projects at the Recerkids URV congress
More than 170 primary school students have turned the URV into an improvised scientific laboratory. During the Recerkids congress, they presented their research projects inspired by astronomy and mathematics, but not just any: their efforts have focused on the figure of Maria Assumpció Català, a pioneer in Catalan science.
The Faculty of Economics and Business was the setting for this tenth edition of the program promoted by the Department of Research and Universities and Rovira i Virgili University, which brought together students from five educational centers in the district on May 24, 2026.
A program that makes classrooms vibrate with science
The legacy of Maria Assumpció Català i Poch
The research focused on the scientific heritage of Maria Assumpció Català i Poch, the first woman to hold a mathematics chair in Catalonia. The students explored how mathematics explains reality and observed the sky to formulate questions about the behavior of light and telescopes.
Participating schools and activity at the URV
Schools such as Escola la Pau from Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, Col·legi Lestonnac from Tarragona, and Escola Isabel Besora from Reus, among others, took part. In addition to presenting their work, they were able to interact with URV researchers in an authentic scientific environment.
Classroom work and teaching support
Thematic lines and teaching resources
Before the congress, groups developed guided research based on three themes: the role of mathematics in representing reality, learning through sky observation, and instruments for seeing stars. All of this adapted to the 5th and 6th grade curriculum.
Lecture and specialized advice
The teaching staff received support from the Eduxarxa team and attended a virtual talk by astrophysicist Francesca Figueras, a disciple of Maria Assumpció Català, who provided a direct view of the world of astronomy.
Practical and outreach experiences during the day
Workshop on lunar phases and eclipses
The day included a workshop on the phases of the Moon and eclipses, taking as a reference the solar eclipse scheduled for August 2026. Through manipulable models, the students delved into concepts of astronomy and geometry, discovering how ancient navigators oriented themselves using the Sun.
Scientific show to end
To add a more playful touch, the Clowntífics from Big Van Ciència offered a show that combined humor and outreach, reinforcing the students’ connection with science in a fun way.
Recerkids has over ten years of awakening vocations and involving more than 25,000 students, a figure that continues to grow. Perhaps one of these young scientists will be the next female voice to break molds at Catalan universities.
Source of the article: Rovira i Virgili University
