• CITIC and Talentos Inclusivos took part in this scientific outreach fair, whose 26th edition was held in Onda, Castellón.
• “CitasTIC”, an outreach call developed by CITIC to showcase research projects, received an honourable mention in the Technology, Computing and Robotics field.

Research staff from CITIC at UDC and from Talentos Inclusivos participated between 7 and 9 November in the 26th edition of Ciencia en Acción, an international competition aimed at students, teachers, researchers and science communicators from the Ibero-American area.

Adriana Dapena Janeiro and Lucía Martínez Rodríguez presented “CitasTIC: Divulgación en el CITIC”, an initiative of the research centre aimed at disseminating the research results of the centre’s staff, conveying this content in an accessible way to the general public, which received an honourable mention in the “Technology, Computing and Robotics” category. During the first call, research staff from the centre collaborated in the development and design of outreach material focused on areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, bioinformatics or signals and sensors. To this end, explanatory panels were designed providing basic information, historical data and key figures in each field, as well as educational games designed for children. These resources were showcased at fairs such as the “Día da Ciencia na Rúa”, as well as in schools and museums.

The panels developed were:

• Quantum Computing: in collaboration with researchers Diego Andrade Canosa, Álvaro Leitao, Carlos Dafonte, Eduardo Mosqueira and María J. Martín. It explained what quantum computing is, why 2025 was declared the international year of this science, and how it may impact our lives.
• Green AI: in collaboration with researchers from the Inditex-UDC Chair in AI on Green Algorithms, Verónica Bolón, Javier Tarrío, Patricia Faraldo and Richard Duro, it explained aspects such as what green AI actually is or what the real energy consumption of AI-based programmes is.
• Signals and sensors: with the participation of Adriana Dapena, Francisco Javier Vázquez, Paula Castro Castro, Paula de Santos and Raúl Fraiz. It explained the role of sensors in everyday life and how they can support people with disabilities.
• Bioinformatics: with Carlos Fernández Lozano, Diego Fernández Edreira and Lucía Martínez Rodríguez, who work on the European project RePo-SUDOE (Interreg Sudoe), it explained what this discipline consists of and how it connects biology with computing and statistics.

On the other hand, the team — made up of CITIC researchers Jorge Rivadulla and Paula de Santos, together with Talentos Inclusivos project manager, Irene Brage — presented a selection of technological challenges developed across its different editions, with a focus on inclusion, creativity and technological accessibility. The presence of Talentos Inclusivos falls within the recognition obtained as winner in the previous edition of the competition (online category) in “Science and Values”.

During Saturday’s session, the project’s booth drew significant interest from attendees thanks to the presentation of inclusive technological solutions co-created with students and teachers from Galician educational centers. Among the highlights were the electronic educational board developed by IES de Ortigueira, the head pointers (“licornios”), and the pictogram board from IES Zalaeta. Additional demonstrations included a Nintendo Switch equipped with 3D-printed adaptive controllers, the game Buy with Me—an educational and therapeutic tool designed to reinforce cognitive and psychomotor skills in a playful context inspired by everyday shopping—and several virtual-reality (VR) experiences specifically developed for people with disabilities.

Three Days of Scientific Outreach

Over the course of three days, Ciencia en Acción transformed Onda into a major scientific stage that brought together hundreds of students, educators, and science communicators from across Ibero-America, sharing experiments, research initiatives, and innovative projects with the public. The venues of La Cassola, La Campaneta, and the Pista del Castillo hosted more than one hundred activities, including workshops, exhibitions, screenings, and live demonstrations, as well as talks, science monologues, and theatrical performances.

At the Scientific Agora, the 20 finalist school projects were presented, while the Science Fair showcased 66 interactive proposals created by students. The Stage Showcase, held at the Pista del Castillo, offered theatrical and audiovisual productions open to the general public. The event—organized in collaboration with the Innpulso Network of Science and Innovation Cities—featured participation from universities, scientific institutions, and educational associations from across Spain, along with support from the Onda City Council. The closing ceremony culminated with the awards presentation at the Mónaco Theatre, where the standout projects of this 26th edition were recognized.

CITIC at SIMO

An educational research project led by CITIC researcher Adriana Dapena was selected as a finalist for the awards for Best Innovative and Technological Teaching Experience and Best Innovative Experience, presented during the International Exhibition of Educational Technology and Innovation (SIMO EDUCACIÓN), a flagship event organized by IFEMA in collaboration with EDUCA 3.0. This year, 35 initiatives were chosen from more than 200 submissions.

These distinctions highlight projects that drive the transformation of teaching and learning processes through innovative pedagogical methodologies and the integration of emerging technologies.

In this context, Adriana Dapena presented a new approach based on Service-Learning methodology for the development of final degree projects, emphasizing how this model supports education in sustainability, ethics, and gender equality—strategic priorities for CITIC.