24th Science Week

From 8 to 17 November, lots of organisations are gearing up to bring science and technology to everyone. The Science Week, which is coordinated in Catalonia by the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation, has reached its 24th year with activities concerning all scientific disciplines. The Week involves many different research centres and universities, leading institutions that generate new knowledge. But these are not the only venues where activities are being held; museums and observatories, schools and associations are also joining the initiative, as well as civic centres, libraries and other local council facilities.

Many of the planned activities highlight one of the various anniversaries of key figures in 2019. One of these, in chemistry, is the celebration of 150 years since Dmitri Mendeleiev published the first version of the Periodic Table of Elements, a discovery that transformed science and culture. Another name that will resound during the Science Week is Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance genius who passed away 500 years ago but left a scientific, technological, artistic and cultural legacy that keeps his name alive today. In 1969, the first human walked on the surface of the Moon for the first time. 50 years later, many activities during Science Week commemorate this great scientific and technological milestone with a focus on gender through Margaret Hamilton, the head of development of the software used in the Apollo Space Programme.

In addition, this Science Week wants to recognise the work of two Catalans whose contribution to knowledge made history. 200 years after his birth, the Week commemorates Narcís Monturiol, the engineer who invented the first autonomous crewed submarine, the Ictíneo. And, on his centenary, it also pays homage to Ramon Margalef, one of the most influential ecologists in the world in the last century, and the first Professor of Ecology in Spain.

Ten days and lots of different activities to learn about these events in depth, as well as many, many other aspects of science. You can see all the information of the Science Week through this link. Check also this link for activities in some district facilites.