Participants in the UAMMAT Mathematics Summer Camp during their visit to ICMAT. Images: Laura M. Iraola/ICMAT

Last Wednesday, 8 July, the Institute of Mathematical Sciences welcomed the 23 participants in the UAMMAT Mathematics Summer Camp, organised by the Department of Mathematics at the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM). The students, who are in the first year of the Spanish Bachillerato, had the opportunity to discover what everyday life is like at a centre of excellence dedicated to cutting-edge mathematical research.

The visit began with a talk by Ana Bravo, Deputy Director of the Institute and Associate Professor at UAM, who spoke to the students about daily life at ICMAT, research careers, and the opportunities the Institute offers young people to take their first steps in research. She also gave them a tour of the Institute’s facilities, including its conference and seminar rooms, the Jorge Juan Library of the Centre for Theoretical Physics and Mathematics (CFTMAT), the lecture hall, and other areas of the building.

Afterwards, Enrique Aycart, a predoctoral researcher at ICMAT and the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), led a workshop on chaos and fractals.

UAMMAT Summer Camp

The UAMMAT Summer Camp is organised by the Department of Mathematics at the Autonomous University of Madrid and is aimed at first-year Bachillerato students. Its objective is to give participants the opportunity to enjoy and learn mathematics while working collaboratively in groups. Participation is free of charge.

In the 2026 edition, taking place from 6 to 14 July, the 23 participants are taking part in a series of activities and workshops designed to explore what mathematics beyond the Bachillerato curriculum is, how it is used, and why it matters. On the final day, the students will present a project developed during the camp. They also take part in a range of other activities, including games and sports.