Since 2009, DIPC has organised the massively popular Zientziarekin solasean! encounters, bringing Nobel Prize laureates and other leading international scientists together with secondary school students from across the Basque Country in sessions moderated by Pedro Miguel Etxenike. During the Passion for Knowledge festival, the presence of the festival’s distinguished guest scientists provides the ideal opportunity to host the annual edition of these meetings.
The goal is to spark young people’s curiosity about science and inspire future scientific careers. The encounters give students the chance to learn first-hand about the scientific achievements and personal journeys of the invited speakers. Before attending, participating schools explore the biographies of the guest scientists in the classroom and prepare the questions they would like to ask. During each session, all registered schools have the opportunity to participate, with questions selected at random through a draw.
As part of P4K 2026, the 16th edition of top@ DIPC – Zientziarekin solasean! encounters will feature two sessions. The first will take place on 29 September at the Victoria Eugenia Theatre in Donostia/San Sebastián, while the second will be held on 1 October at Bizkaia Aretoa (EHU) in Bilbao. In an informal and welcoming setting, students will have the opportunity to talk with some of the world’s leading scientists and put their questions to them directly.
