One of the most successful activities in the social program of the Annual Meeting are the mentoring workshops, which bring together local secondary school students to talk not only about science and technology, but also about career guidance and vocation. This year, Women in Nuclear (WiN) organized “Discover the Scientist Within You.” Fifty 10th grade students from the Colegio Diocesano in Cáceres were guided by a team of ten mentors who shared their experience and passion for science and engineering.
The dynamic was a real adventure: students moved through different stations, each designed to encourage reflection on a key aspect of personal and professional development—from which subjects they enjoy most, to the skills needed to build a solid future.
As a novelty, this year two important changes were introduced. On the one hand, the mixed participation of boys and girls, fostering integration and teamwork, while maintaining the inspiring reference of an all-female group of mentors, serving as close and relatable role models in professions where female references are still scarce.
On the other hand, an extra station was added, which turned out to be one of the favorites: an immersion into the world of nuclear energy. There, students were able to experiment with models to understand how electricity is generated, try on protective equipment (PPE) used in nuclear power plants, and take home both a photo and a map as a unique memento of the experience.
The activity was not only fun but also essential. Mentoring is key to sparking vocations, broadening horizons, and showing young people that scientific and technical careers are an exciting and attainable path. Seeing their faces filled with curiosity, surprise, and enthusiasm confirmed that planting these seeds today means investing in a more prepared, diverse, and innovative society tomorrow.
