The Congress on the Social Communication of Science, held in Pamplona between 10 and 12 March, has become an unmissable event in the national scientific calendar. This was evidenced by the large number of people who attended the conference and the large number of papers presented at this forum for the dissemination of science. Among these papers was one by the Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Isla de la Cartuja, which, through María Dolores Vega and María José Plaza, called for the promotion of scientific vocation in university and secondary schools. The cicCartuja showed the dissemination and popularisation activities that it has been carrying out for more than nine years, jointly with the three Institutes that make it up, and expressed its desire for scientific culture to occupy a more important place in Spanish society. The researchers of the future are in today’s classrooms,’ said the cicCartuja communication. That is why it is necessary for students to have a good understanding of what research is, how it influences our world and what opportunities it offers for their future. To do this, we must start with an effort to promote scientific culture: our society must learn to value science and to trust scientists’.

The experience ‘Encounters with Science for the Contemporary World’, developed by cicCartuja during the Science and Technology Week 2009, served as a model to illustrate to the audience attending the Congress. With this, the commitment acquired by the Centre in educational matters was made known, trying to bring the work of scientists closer to secondary school students who are still unaware of the relevance of this research. ‘Science for the contemporary world’ is a common subject in all three types of baccalaureate and needs external support, such as that offered by cicCartuja, to attract not only students, but also teachers. For this reason, the communication presented was focused on this initiative, which is complemented by other dissemination activities carried out annually by cicCartuja, such as arranged visits to schools or participation in the Science Fair.