Come and discover research in mathematics!

Students taking part in 4ºESO+Empresa 2025. Image: Laura M. Iraola/ICMAT

Dates of the placements: 13–15 April 2026, mornings

Venue: ICMAT (Calle Nicolás Cabrera, 13–15, Cantoblanco Campus, 28049 Madrid)

Number of places: 30

Description: Over three days, a group of Year 11 students (4º de ESO) are introduced to the daily activity of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, with the aim of discovering mathematical research as a career option, showing students what the day-to-day work of a mathematical scientist is like, and explaining the routes that lead there. Students visit the ICMAT facilities and engage with its research staff. In addition, several talks and workshops are offered to bring mathematical research closer in an accessible way for secondary school students.

This activity is part of the CSIC programme within the Community of Madrid’s ‘4º ESO + Empresa’ initiative.

Programme 2026

Monday, 13 April

• 10:00 – 10:30. Welcome, presentation of ICMAT and research career, Javier Aramayona, Director of ICMAT.
• 10:30 – 11:00. Break
• 11:00 – 12:30. Workshop on chaos and fractals, Enrique Aycart, predoctoral researcher at ICMAT and at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM).
• 12:30 – 14:00. Workshop on cryptography and the RSA system, Alicia García-Mascaraque, predoctoral researcher at the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), and Claudia Muñoz, predoctoral researcher at ICMAT and at UAM.

Tuesday, 14 April

• 10:00 – 11:00. Workshop: “Frequencies, filters and functions: the mathematics of the DJ”, Carlos García-Meixide, predoctoral researcher at ICMAT and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).
• 11:00 – 12:00. Workshop: “Mathematics in motion: a look at the world of fluids”, Mencía Reborido, José Antonio Lucas and Andrés Laín, predoctoral researchers at ICMAT and CSIC.
• 12:00 – 12:15. Break
• 12:15 – 14:00. Mathematics treasure hunt, QED Association of students from the Mathematics degree at UAM.

Wednesday, 15 April

• 10:00 – 11:30. Workshop: “Geometry of soap bubbles”, Juan Manuel López, predoctoral researcher at ICMAT and CSIC.
• 11:30 – 12:00. Break
• 12:00 – 12:30. Visit to the Jorge Juan Library of the Centre for Theoretical Physics and Mathematics (CFTMAT), Ricardo Martínez de Madariaga, Head of the Jorge Juan Library at CFTMAT.
• 12:30 – 13:30. Workshop: “Knotted mathematics of the Inca Empire”, Manuel de León, Research Professor of CSIC at ICMAT.

Contact: communication@icmat.es

The programme will be available soon.