Barcelona International Youth Science Challenge (BIYSC) is organized by Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera, a leading institution with more than 15 years of experience in developing excellence programs to boost scientific vocations and inspire academic and professional careers in Science, Techology and Research among young students.
To accomplish this goal, Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera partners with leading Research Centers, Hospitals, Universities, Scientists, and Researchers. Through these collaborations, we provide immersive, hands-on experiences for High School students, enabling them to participate in real scientific research projects within cutting-edge facilities and alongside professinals. This exceptional opportunity them to pursue their passion for science through high-level practical experiences in a truly unique manner.
BIYSC was established in 2016, drawing upon the knowledge and expertise gained from our Foundation's successful programs in Catalonia, which have operated for over 15 years. Additionally, we have incorporated insights from our students who have participated in similar international programs worldwide, and from our continuous improvement and the feedback received during previous editions, sculpting a distinctive and exceptional experience at the highest level of excellence.
Driven by this collective insight, our determination to expand outreach led us to expand our actions providing scientific opportunities with an international scope. Our goal is to inspire young students globally to gather in Barcelona, encourage them to work on projects of their choice with other peers in a high-level scientific and technological context, offer extensive learning opportunities and empower them to bring new ideas into the scientific community.
OUR YOUTH SCIENCE PROGRAMS
The first program that was launched in 2008 was Youth & Science. Its aim is to promote scientific careers amongst 10th-grade students in a three-year program, offering them the opportunity to experience an international stay of similar characteristics, such as BIYSC in the last year of the program. Approximately 1,000 students apply every yearly call, with a total of 50 Catalan students selected per year.
Mad for Science was launched in 2013 offering 11th and 12th grade students the opportunity to develop their curiosity in science but in a different format. 200 students work every year on science projects during approximately 18 Saturdays of their school year, getting to know a large variety of research subjects to better orientate their career choice for university.
Youth for Medicine was established in 2020 to cater to the growing interest among young students in medicine-related programs. It provides an exclusive opportunity for 150 11th and 12th-grade students to explore the field of medicine. The program aims to ignite and nurture their interest in medicine through a blend of theoretical and practical sessions conducted by esteemed hospitals. Participants delve into the intricate facets of medicine, gaining insights into the various aspects of hospital operations, from laboratory research to patient care services.
If you want to know more information about our scientific programs, click here.
