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Students visited the center on October 28, 29, and 30, taking part in individual sessions with researchers and a group activity.
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Participants had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the heart of scientific research and see firsthand how scientists work to understand the universe.
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The activity was organized with the Department of Theoretical Physics at UAM in collaboration with Junior Achievement España (JAES).
Between October 28 and 30, a group of students took part in the “Job Shadow Day” Junior Achievement España (JAES) initiative, organized by the Department of Theoretical Physics and the Institute for Theoretical Physics (IFT-UAM/CSIC) at the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM). Over the course of these days, the students had the opportunity to hold individual meetings with researchers at the center and to participate in a group activity exploring how physicists study the secrets of the universe through cutting-edge science.
Group Activity at the DFT and IFT
On October 28, ten students took part in a joint visit to various facilities of the Department of Theoretical Physics (DFT) and the Institute for Theoretical Physics (IFT). The day began at 8:45 a.m. at the Faculty of Science, where the group met before heading to the UAM Astronomical Observatory. There, Daniel Cerevino, Director of the Observatory, welcomed the students and showed them how astronomical observations are carried out from within the university itself. Next, Professor WeiGuang Cui, an expert in Computational Astrophysics, gave a talk in English explaining how digital simulations are used to study galaxies and guided the students through a small hands-on astronomical experiment.
The visit continued at the High-Energy Physics Laboratory, where Elías López introduced the group to the instruments and methods used by physicists to investigate elementary particles, the tiniest building blocks of matter.
Later in the morning, participants visited the Institute for Theoretical Physics, where they enjoyed breakfast and a guided tour of the facilities. The session of talks began with Professor Carlos Pena, who spoke about fundamental physics and conducted an interactive experiment. Afterwards, researchers Karen Macías (PhD student) and Pilar Coloma shared their personal experiences in science and answered the students’ questions, offering an inspiring and relatable perspective on the life of a researcher.
The event concluded around 2:30 p.m., leaving participants inspired and, perhaps, sparking a few new scientific vocations.
