Doctoral candidate Ruth Hernández wins the local phase of the HiloTesis contest

Ruth Hernández represents the URV at the state phase explaining how to teach computational thinking to children with an educational board game.
 La doctoranda Ruth Hernández guanya la fase local del concurs Hilòtesis amb la seva recerca innovadora — Imagen de la Fuente
Doctoral candidate Ruth Hernández wins the local phase of the Hilòtesis contest with her innovative research — Imagen de la Fuente

Ruth Hernández has won the local phase of the HiloTesis contest with a project that aims to teach computational thinking to children through a board game. This victory leads her to represent the Rovira i Virgili University of Tarragona in the national final phase.

The contest, organized by CRUE and URV, encourages doctoral students to publicize their research through social networks, in this case on Instagram. The awarded proposal delves into technological education from the earliest stages, a key topic for the future of children in the province.

The awarded project: educating in computational thinking through play

An Instagram carousel that clicks

Ruth Hernández has created an educational Instagram carousel that shows how children can develop skills to solve complex problems. The central tool is computational thinking: breaking down problems, identifying patterns, and planning actions in a structured way. This fresh and visual format captured the jury’s attention.

A board game that makes you think

The project includes Albèeol, a board game in which players guide bees across a modular hexagon board. The mission is to pass through a flower, reach the honey, and return to the hive, putting planning and problem-solving into practice. A local bet for more practical and intelligent education.

The national final phase and the competition

Representing Tarragona at the national level

Hernández not only gains local recognition but will also compete with doctoral students from other universities across the country in the final phase. Her participation places Tarragona on the map of innovative scientific outreach.

Other finalists and the importance of the contest

In this edition, other doctoral students such as Filipa Melo and Michele Angelo Milatino Sgambati have also become finalists. The contest, promoted by the Communication and Science Outreach Unit (ComCiència) of URV and CRUE, seeks to make research accessible to everyone, especially through social networks, an omnipresent channel among the youngest.

URV and scientific outreach in Tarragona

URV as a local knowledge engine

The Rovira i Virgili University has once again demonstrated its commitment to educational innovation and scientific outreach. Ruth Hernández’s award strengthens URV’s role as a cultural and scientific cornerstone in the province of Tarragona.

Awards and recognition for the doctoral student

In addition to representing URV, Hernández will receive a package of products related to the university. A detail that values her work and her involvement with the academic and local community.

The reality is that a doctoral student from Tarragona now teaches children to think better with bees and hexagons. And all this, on Instagram.

Source of the article: Rovira i Virgili University