The University of Girona and the Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) have received a grant from the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation (FCRI) aimed at promoting scientific culture in Catalonia.
This project, with the support of an FCRI 2025 Grant, and led by researchers Jordi Cicres and Roser Giménez from the University of Girona, and Sílvia Pujals and Xavier Rovira from IQAC-CSIC, aims to foster scientific vocations among 10 to 12-year-old students in rural areas of Catalonia through the publication of an interactive “Choose Your Own Adventure”-style book.
There are preconceived ideas about the appearance and lifestyle of people who work in research. However, there is no single path or way to become a scientist. Moreover, studies show that career choices begin at a very early age and are influenced by many decisive factors.
“Our main audience is primary school children, and we also want to focus on students in schools far from big cities. Unlike urban areas, rural communities often lack access to museums, research centers, science fairs, and other activities that play a key role in sparking interest in scientific careers,” explains Dr. Sílvia Pujals, researcher at IQAC-CSIC.
Stories as allies
With the goal of finding accessible tools, the project plans to publish an interactive novel featuring two young contemporary scientists (a woman and a man) and the steps and decisions they took throughout their lives (starting in childhood) to become researchers. Readers will have to make choices that guide the storyline, encouraging identification and engagement.
“This type of novel is ideal because we want children to understand that there isn’t a single, predetermined path to becoming a scientist. Each person has made their own decisions that led them into science. We also want to break the stereotype of scientists being isolated in a lab,” says Dr. Jordi Cicres from the University of Girona.
The main premise of this project, which has just begun and will conclude at the end of 2025, is to break down clichés related to gender, lifestyle, and the stereotypical qualities believed necessary to be a scientist. Ultimately, the aim is to inspire new generations by creating relatable role models and combining storytelling, interactivity, and accessible resources.
