Through this program, many generations of high-school students have visited ICMAB since 2011. This year, it was the turn of Noemí, Glòria, Irene, Pablo, Clara i Judit, who were able to experience the world of research firsthand.

In the Technical Services, the students conducted complementary tests on specific samples to fully characterize them. “During these days, we were encouraged to look at things from various perspectives and to use knowledge from different fields, even though we are working in a very specific thing”, they reflect together.

In the X-ray Diffraction Lab, guided by Anna Crespi and Xavi Campos, they were able to experiment with amorphous and crystalline crystals by using the diffractometer. 

In the The Nanoquim Platform, guided by Luigi Morrone, Marta Gerbolés and Adrià Pacheco, they learnt what cleanroom facilities were and were introduced to the machines to keep them in optimal conditions by controlling their light and humidity.

Last but not least, they also visited the Scanning Probe Microscopy Lab, with Marcos Paradinas, were they practised with the AFM.

The students were very happy about the experience where they learnt many new things but also brought some known ones from theory to practice. They were also amazed to discover interdisciplinarity in ICMAB: “In school we learn about Chemistry, Physics and Biology as separate subjects. Here you need all these fields to study a single topic!”

All of them have a broad rage of interests and are still undecisive about their future, but they leave the centre excited by science and with the message that it’s important to always stay curious.

About the Argó Program