Chemistry
The course
The Chemistry course of the Bojos per la Ciència program of the Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera is a course developed by the Institut Català d'Investigació Química (ICIQ) oriented to 1st year high school students with special interest and talent for chemistry. The basic objective of this project is to foster the scientific vocation of these young people, as well as to strengthen their enthusiasm for chemistry and research.
The course will be held on Saturdays from January to November 2024 at the ICIQ facilities.
The course will cover 12 different chemistry topics, including the main chemical reactions, presented by ICIQ doctoral and postdoctoral students. In addition, a senior researcher from the center will give a one-hour lecture at each session.
Registration for the Bojos per la química course will be open from 12th September to 20th October 25, 2024, and 21 students from the 1st year of high school will be selected to participate in this edition of the course.
This course combines theoretical sessions and hands-on experimental activities. Each session will be divided into four parts:
- Theoretical lecture on a specific topic.
- Seminar given by a principal investigator of the center.
- Hands-on practice on a characterization technique
- Practical visualization through chemical experiments
- The idea of introducing students to basic research routines and scientific methods will be reinforced. To achieve this, students will be allowed to question their ideas, contrast them and move towards more elaborate concepts and schemes through various chemical experiments that they will be asked to design and carry out.
Students will also take a brief look at the history of chemistry through 21 characters that they will recreate.
Catalan and English will be alternated equally, so a good knowledge of English is mandatory.
Specific objectives
Students who have the opportunity to participate in the course:
- Will experience the scientific method first-hand in an international research center.
- Improve their knowledge of scientific theory and techniques in the field of chemistry
- Work with young professional scientists who will mentor and guide them through the process
- Have a clear vision to decide whether they want to pursue a professional career related to the chemical sciences
Academic studies
- Encourage scientific vocations linked to the world of chemistry among young people, helping them to guide their academic and professional future.
- To offer the opportunity for their high school research work to be authorized by a reference research center.
Sessions 2024
Date: Saturday, 20th January 20.
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Location: ICIQ, Avinguda dels Països Catalans, 16, Tarragona.
Session coordination: Dr. Joan G. Mayans.
Session by: Ailende Eigbefoh-Addeh, Dr. Joan Guillem Mayans and Dr. Laura Hernandez
Language: catalan and spanish.
Summary:
- Presentation of the participants, the teachers and the institute.
- Presentation of how the course will work.
- Introduction to the scientific method and research with practical experiments.
Date: Saturday, 3th February, 2024.
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Location: ICIQ, Avinguda dels Països Catalans, 16, Tarragona.
Session coordination: Dr. Joan G. Mayans.
Session by: Ailende Eigbefoh-Addeh and Dr. Joan Guillem Mayans.
Language: spanish.
Summary:
- Presentation on biochemistry.
- Biochemistry practices in the laboratory.
Date: Saturday 17th February, 2024.
Opneing hours: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Location: ICIQ, Avinguda dels Països Catalans, 16, Tarragona.
Session coordination: Dr. Joan G. Mayans.
Session by: Dr. Carla Casavall, Aksana Fabregat Sosa (chemistry degree student at URV) and Dr. Joan G. Mayans.
Language: catalan, spanish and english.
Summary:
- Presentation of 3 historical figures.
- Presentation of Dr. Carla Casavall.
- Presentation on the chemistry degree at the URV by Aksana Fabregat.
- Catalysis in action workshop.
Date: Saturday 2nd March, 2024.
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Location: ICIQ, Avinguda dels Països Catalans, 16, Tarragona.
Session coordination: Dr. Joan G. Mayans.
Session by: Prof. Mónica Pérez-Temprano and Dr. Marta Gimenez.
Language: catalan and spanish.
Summary:
- Presentation of 3 historical figures.
- Presentation: Lakes, Legos and secrets of chemical reactions and introduction to the program.
- Theory: Polymerizations
- Laboratory practices: Traditional and avant-garde spherifications and ice creams.
Date: Saturday 16th March, 2024.
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Location: ICIQ, Avinguda dels Països Catalans, 16, Tarragona.
Session coordination: Dr. Joan G. Mayans.
Session by: Dr. Jordi Benet and Dr. Joan G. Mayans.
Language: catalan, spanish and english.
Summary:
- Presentation of 3 historical figures.
- Theory: X-ray diffraction with crystallization practices.
- Workshop "don't be so basic" in the laboratory.
Date: Saturday 6th April 2024.
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Location: ICIQ, Avinguda dels Països Catalans, 16, Tarragona.
Session coordination: Dr. Joan G. Mayans.
Session by: Dr. Jordi Benet and Dr. Noemí Cabello.
Language: catalan, spanish and english.
Summary:
- Presentation of 3 historical figures.
- Theory: Mass spectrometry.
- Laboratory practices: crystallizations and crystal resolution in the X-ray laboratory.
Date: Saturday 20th April, 2024.
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Location: ICIQ, Avinguda dels Països Catalans, 16, Tarragona.
Session coordination: Dr. Joan G. Mayans.
Session by: Dr. Laura Hernández, Israel Macho and Dr. Joan G. Mayans.
Language: catalan and spanish.
Summary:
- Presentation of 3 historical figures.
- Explanation of the "Prussian Blue" Podcast.
- Theory: NMR.
- Independent synthesis of NaOAc.
Date: Saturday 11th May, 2024.
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Location: ICIQ, Avinguda dels Països Catalans, 16, Tarragona.
Session coordination: Dr. Joan G. Mayans.
Session by: Prof. Carles Bo, Andrea Ruiz and Enric Ibáñez.
Language: catalan, spanish and english.
Summary:
- Presentation of 3 historical figures.
- Theory: Computational or theoretical chemistry.
- Internships: European project and programming with apps.
Date: Saturday 14th September, 2024.
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Location: ICIQ, Avinguda dels Països Catalans, 16, Tarragona.
Session coordination: Dr. Joan G. Mayans.
Session by: Dr. Imma Escofet, Dr. Felipe Garcés, Carlota Odena, Dr. Joan Guillem Mayans and Dr. Laura Hernandez.
Language: english.
Summary:
- Oral presentations of scientific articles: each student will present a scientific article.
- Laboratory practice: we solve a crime.
Date: Saturday 5th October, 2024.
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Location: ICIQ, Avinguda dels Països Catalans, 16, Tarragona.
Session coordination: Dr. Joan G. Mayans.
Session by: Dr. Joan G. Mayans, Dr. Balazs Tóth.
Language: catalan and spanish.
Summary:
- Practices: synthesis and purification of a compound.
Date: Saturday, 19th October, 2024.
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Location: ICIQ, Avinguda dels Països Catalans, 16, Tarragona.
Session coordination: Dr. Joan G. Mayans.
Session by: Maria J. Hueso and Dr. Joan G. Mayans.
Language: catalan and spanish.
Summary:
- Presentation of 3 historical figures.
- Theory: natural products and chromatography.
- Practices: characterization of previously synthesized products.
Date: Saturday 9th November, 2024.
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Location: ICIQ, Avinguda dels Països Catalans, 16, Tarragona.
Session coordination: Dr. Joan G. Mayans.
Session by: Prof. Marcos Suero, Dr. Javier Pérez and Santi Gene.
Language: catalan and spanish.
Summary:
- Theory: astrochemistry and photophysics.
- Laboratory practices: we make solar panels.
Date: Saturday 23th November, 2024.
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Location: ICIQ, Avinguda dels Països Catalans, 16, Tarragona.
Session coordination: Dr. Joan G. Mayans.
Session by: Prof. Antonio Echavarren and Dr. Joan G. Mayans.
Language: catalan and spanish.
Summary:
- Theory: Chemistry of poisons.
- Congress and common point at the end of the program.
- Closing ceremony from 15:00 to 16:30 open to families.
Sessions 2023 (in progress)
Day: Saturday, February 5th
Time: 9.30h to 16.30h
Place: Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ) Avinguda dels Països Catalans 16, Tarragona
Session coordination: Dr. Laura Hernández
Session by: Dr. Laia Pellejà, Dr. Imma Escofet and Dr. Laura Hernández
Language: Catalan and English
Visit to a research laboratory and visit to a spin-off of the center. Presentation by the ICIQ management, the program team and the students. Delivery of dossiers, scientific articles and explanation of how the sessions work.
Day: Saturday, February 19th
Time: 9.30h to 14.30h
Place: Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ) Avinguda dels Països Catalans 16, Tarragona
Session coordination: Dr. Laura Hernández
Session by: Dr. Jordi Benet and Dr. Laura Hernández
Language: Catalan and Spanish
Theory: X-ray diffraction
Laboratory practice:
Creating stalagmites, Do I heat or cool?, Let's transform bubbles with powder, Quicksand, What pill do we have?, The colors come up, The pigments of vegetables, The chemical waiter and The powerful salfuman.
Presentation of 3 historical characters.
.
Day: Saturday, March 26th
Time: 9.30h to 16.30h
Place: Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ) Avinguda dels Països Catalans 16, Tarragona
Session coordination: Dr. Laura Hernández
Session by: Prof. Núria López, Dr. Fernando Gomollón and Dr. Laura Hernández
Language: Catalan and Spanish
Theory: Precipitation, dehydration and saponification reactions.
Laboratory practices: Sugar worm, Fried egg without fire, Much more than water, Starch in food, Soap making, Playing CSI and Rusty coins.
Presentation of 3 historical characters.
Day: Saturday, April 10
Time: 9.30h to 16.30h
Place: Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ) Avinguda dels Països Catalans 16, Tarragona
Coordination of the session: Dr. Laura Hernández
Session by: Prof. Carles Bo, Sara Lopez Resano, Alba Perez and Dr. Laura Hernandez.
Language: Catalan and Spanish
Theory: The redox world
Lab practicals:
The genie in the vase, Deconstructing hydrogen peroxide, An oscillating reaction, Kinetics of the reduction of hydrogen peroxide by iodide ions, A complex visible activity, Erupting volcano I, Deconstruction of an egg, Enough of mosquitoes, Color of vegetables, Uncooked hard-boiled egg, Yellow bananas.
Presentation of 3 historical characters.
Day: Saturday, April 23rd
Time: 9.30h to 16.30h
Place: Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ) Avinguda dels Països Catalans 16, Tarragona
Coordination of the session: Dr. Laura Hernández
Session by: Dr. Prof. Julio Lloret-Filloli, Sergio Fernández, Geyla C. Dubed and Dr. Laura Hernández.
Language: Catalan and Spanish
Theory: Catalysis reactions
Lab practicals: We build photosynthesis systems.
Presentation of 3 historical characters.
Day: Saturday, May 7th
Time: 9.30h to 16.30h
Place: Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ) Avinguda dels Països Catalans 16, Tarragona
Coordination of the session: Dr. Laura Hernández
Session by: Prof. Emilio Palomares, Dr. María Méndez, Santi Gené and Dr. Laura Hernández
Language: Catalan and English
Theory: The world of redox and non-newtonian fluids.
Laboratory practice: Solar cells
Presentation of 3 historical characters.
Day: Saturday, May 21
Time: 9.30h to 16.30h
Place: Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ) Avinguda dels Països Catalans 16, Tarragona
Session coordination: Dr. Laura Hernández
Session by: Prof. Marcos Suero, Dr. Marta Giménez and Dr. Laura Hernández
Language: Catalan
Theory: Pressure reactions
Lab practicals: Homemade indicators, The vitamins that escape, Citric acid in juices, Phenolphthalein surprises, Vinegar acidity, Molecular cooking.
Day: Saturday, September 17th
Time: 9.30h to 16.30h
Place: Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ) Avinguda dels Països Catalans 16, Tarragona
Session coordination: Dr. Laura Hernández
Session by: Dr. Mabel de Fez, Dr. Alicia Martínez, Jordi Aragón, Alba Pérez and Dr. Laura Hernández
Language: English
Oral presentations of scientific articles: each student will present a scientific article.
Day: Saturday, October 1st
Time: 9.30h to 16.30h
Place: Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ) Avinguda dels Països Catalans 16, Tarragona
Coordination of the session: Dr. Laura Hernández
Session by: Dr. Elisabet Romero, Dr. Gemma Aragay, Chiara Mirabella and Dr. Laura Hernández
Language: Catalan and Spanish
Theory: Supramolecular chemistry
Lab practicals: Key and cloth chemistry, spherification science and controlled drug release.
Day: Saturday, October 22nd
Time: 9.30h to 16.30h
Place: Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ) Avinguda dels Països Catalans 16, Tarragona
Coordination of the session: Dr. Laura Hernández
Session by: Prof. Antonio Echavarren, Dr. Imma Escofet, Dr. Noemí Cabello, Dr. Georgiana Stoica, and Dr. Laura Hernández.
Language: Catalan and Spanish
Theory: Spectrometric techniques, polymerization reactions and natural products.
Laboratory practices: pH of drugs, Heartburn, Acidity of oil, Shape of liquids and Silver gives us game.
Day: Saturday, November 12th
Time: 9.30h to 16.30h
Place: Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ) Avinguda dels Països Catalans 16, Tarragona
Coordination of the session: Dr. Laura Hernández
Session by: Dr. Esther Alza, Dr. Moreshwar B. Chaudhari and Dr. Laura Hernández
Language: Catalan and Spanish
Theory: Continuous reactions, The spectacularity of chemistry.
Lab practicals: Application of heterogeneous copper catalyst in a continuous flow process
Day: Saturday, November 26th
Time: 10h to 13h
Place: Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ) Avinguda dels Països Catalans 16, Tarragona
Session coordination: Dr. Laura Hernández
Session by: Prof. Emilio Palomares, Dr. Laia Pellejà and Dr. Laura Hernandez
Language: Catalan, Spanish and English
Final presentation by the students open to the public and presentation of diplomas.
Dia: Dissabte 12 de novembre
Horari: 9.30h a 16.30h
Lloc: ICIQ, Avinguda dels Països Catalans, 16, Tarragona
Coordinació de la sessió: Dra. Laura Hernández
Sessió a càrrec de: Dra. Elisabet Romero i Dra. Laura Hernández
Idioma: Català i castellà
Teoria: Sistemes macromoleculars bio-inspirats
Pràctiques de laboratori: pràctiques de fotoquímica i fotofísica.
Presentació d’experiments de la classe anterior.
Acte de cloenda de 15:00h a 16:30h obert a les famílies.
Collaborating entities
The Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ) aims to promote and carry out research of excellence in chemistry. The institute aims to produce, promote and share knowledge, as well as train technical and scientific personnel in chemistry, transfer technology to industry, facilitate contact between basic and applied research and establish collaborations between the ICIQ and companies.
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