“Dream it, STEM it” prizes awarded: excellent participation in the inaugural edition

On 3 June, IQS celebrated the event to award prizes for the 1^st edition of the Dream it, STEM it competition, an initiative launched by IQS to support scientific careers among girls in the 4^th year of compulsory secondary education, secondary school baccalaureate education, and vocational education. Featuring enthusiastic participation from more than 100 girls from throughout Catalonia, Spain, and Latin America, the competition represented a vibrant platform to show how science can transform the future led by women.

The event began with a welcome speech by Dr Jordi Díaz, Dean of the IQS School of Engineering, who took advantage of his lecture to highlight the essence of the competition. In his speech, he commented on the gender gap that still remains in certain STEM careers and how initiatives like this one can help to reduce it, all while supporting scientific careers among females.

Dr Marta Tena, Director of Communication and Marketing at IQS, spoke next to present the general information about the competition: 101 videos from 16 schools with diverse backgrounds, including schools such as the Liceo Departamental de Santiago de Cali (Colombia) and the Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt de Lima (Perú). She also highlighted the outstanding participation by the Escola Sant Gervasi Cooperativa, which led the ranking with 46 videos submitted.

The ceremony kicked off with the award of the prize for the video that received the most votes from the public, given to Alba Gómez Cabrera from the Escola Sant Gervasi Cooperativa de Mollet del Vallès for her project “A solution for autoimmune diseases.” Her video, which imagined a vaccine able to inhibit solely responsible antibodies without affecting the rest of the immune system, captivated the digital audience. She accepted the award in person and earned a FNAC gift card worth 300 euros.

Next came the award ceremony for the schools that contributed the most videos.

La Vall de Bellaterra school earned third place, with eight videos submitted. Anna Carreras, a teacher at the school, accepted the prize: 1,000 euros for school equipment to be chosen by the school itself.

Second place went to Vedruna Vall de Terrassa, with 32 videos. The teacher Cristina Vila accepted the award, also consisting of 1,000 euros for school supplies.

Finally, first prize was awarded to the Escola Sant Gervasi Cooperativa (Mollet del Vallès), with an outstanding participation boasting 46 videos. The school won 1,500 euros for school materials, and the award was accepted by Laia Hernández.

The second part of the event was dedicated to the jury awards, presented by Dr Magda Faijes and Dr Jordi Díaz, who explained each project before screening the videos.

For third place, the jury recognized the project “Neofuel” by Núria Martin Teixidor, a student at Vedruna Vall (Terrassa). She imagined an innovative fuel based on green hydrogen, CO₂, nanocapsules, and artificial intelligence with the aim of offering an alternative energy source with zero emissions and sustainable production.

The award included a 50% tuition scholarship to study a bachelor’s degree at IQS, a FNAC gift card worth €300, and free registration in the IQS Summer Camp.

The second place jury award went to Clara Buron Grao, from Sant Gervasi Cooperativa, for the project “Vaccines based on microalgae for a sustainable future.” The student backed the use of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a foundation for developing vaccines that contribute to human and planetary health. She earned the same award: 50% off tuition, a €300 gift card, and a spot in the IQS Summer Camp.

The first prize jury award went to Laia Padrós Sagrera, also from Sant Gervasi Cooperativa, with the video “Plastic-eating plant.” Inspired by the enzyme PETasa, her video showcases a biotechnology capable of biodegrading plastic and converting it into a reusable resource. Her prize included a 75% tuition scholarship to study at IQS, a €500 euro gift card, and registration in the IQS Summer Camp.

After the prizes were awarded, Dr Magda Faijes, an IQS professor and researcher, recognized the young award winners. In her speech, she congratulated all the participants for the effort, dedication, and creativity they demonstrated throughout the process and encouraged them to continue following their dreams in the field of science and technology. She also reminded them that society urgently needs their talent. Finally, she highlighted that diversity in the professional world is not only necessary, but something that brings profound enrichment by providing new looks, solutions, and perspectives to the progress of knowledge.

The Dean the IQS School of Engineering closed the event by highlighting the creativity and commitment of the projects presented by the participants. Dr Díaz remarked that Dream it, STEM it forms part of the broader STEM4Her strategy through which IQS aims to strengthen the female presence in STEM fields.

Next, all award winners and school representatives were invited to come up on stage for an official photograph. During the closing reception, kits with IQS gear were handed out along with certificates for all participants.

In its inaugural edition, Dream it, STEM it demonstrated that there is a new generation of young female scientists with powerful ideas who are committed to the planet and transforming the world through science. IQS once again underscored its commitment to a future with more women leading technological innovation.