The Faculty of Physics of the University of Valencia has announced the 20th edition of the Experimenta Fair-Contest for experiments and demonstrations in physics and technology, which will take place on Saturday 13 April at the Science Museum of Valencia. The event is aimed at students in secondary school (ESO), post-compulsory education (batxillerat) and intermediate-level vocational training programmes. Registration, including a project description, is open until 27 January.
The 2025 Experimenta Fair aims to turn students into active and creative participants in science and technology. The goal is for each participating group (of a maximum of four members) to work on an experimental project in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), with the support of a teacher, and to present and explain their work, focusing particularly on the aspects of physics involved. The event also seeks to encourage and increase the participation of women.
Projects can cover any subject area, but they must demonstrate a physical principle or its practical application, with a focus on their interrelationship. There are two categories for participation and competition: physics demonstrations and experiments, and technological application projects. Certificates will also be awarded for the work associated with supervising the projects submitted.
Five prizes will be awarded among the projects presented at the fair. Four of these prizes will be valued at ¤150 for each group member, and the project most voted for by the public will receive ¤100 per participant. Several honourable mentions and prizes will also be awarded to the departments of the teachers with winning projects, including materials for physics or technology experiments.
In addition, as part of the celebrations for the 250th birthday of André-Marie Ampère, the Ampère Museum / Society of Friends of Ampère of Lyon (France) will independently award the Ampère-Blas Cabrera-Experimenta prize in each category of the fair, for projects related to electromagnetism or its applications under the theme "Tomorrow, an Electric World". Nobel prize winner Anne La Huillier, godmother of these celebrations, is also the scientist to whom Experimenta is dedicating this year’s event in its section "You too can be...".
The smooth functioning of the experiments and prototypes, the participants’ understanding of their work and the clarity of the explanations are the most valued aspects. The awards ceremony will be held at the end of the fair and a later date will be set for an exhibition of the winning projects.
"Innovation and technological development depend, to a large extent, on the curiosity and enthusiasm to understand and learn about everything that surrounds us, even the most everyday things. It is vital that students can involve themselves personally and enjoy science", emphasises the organisers of Experimenta. The Fair aims to encourage work associated with experimental projects, helping students become familiar with reality and fostering their ability to discuss and relate what they observe to scientific principles and technological applications.
The Experimenta Fair-Competition was born in 2005 with the aim of involving students in the World Year of Physics in an active and creative way. The enthusiasm of the participants and visitors was extraordinary and contributed to transforming the event into an annual occurrence, now celebrating its 20th edition.
This initiative is supported by a competitive project of the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology, part of the Ministry of Science and Innovation (FECYT-MICINN), with collaboration from other entities such as the Prince Felipe Science Museum of Valencia, the Valencia City Council and the Royal Spanish Society of Physics. On the part of the University of Valencia, it has the support of the Institute of Corpuscular Physics (IFIC), the Scientific Culture and Innovation Unit (UCC+i), the Delegation for Incorporation to the UV, the Sanchis Guarner Centre for Training and Quality, the Equality Unit, the Archimedes Physics Working Group, the ScienceFlows Group, and several external entities.
Call for applications 2025
Link to all the information on the 2025 call here
Experimenta website : www.uv.es/experimenta
The University of Valencia announces the 20th edition of the Experimenta Fair to popularise science and encourage STEM projects
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