UC3M hosts the final round of the data science scavenger hunt for high school students
4/23/26
On April 21st, the final round of the 6th UC3M Data Science Scavenger Hunt took place. The event, aimed at high school students, was held in the Aula Magna on the Getafe campus. This activity aims to develop students’ critical thinking skills, promote the scientific method, and highlight the importance of data interpretation and analysis in everyday life.
Finalist team of the Data Science Gymkhana completing the challenges on the Getafe campus, accompanied by a UC3M student mentor.
The Gymkhana is part of the UC3M STEM for Girls Program, which promotes scientific and technological careers among girls and young women in high school. The central theme of each edition revolves around one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This edition was aligned with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. Over the course of four months, more than 360 students worked in their high school classrooms researching and delving into data science. Fourteen high schools from different autonomous communities participated.
Pilar Otero, Vice Rector for Student Affairs at UC3M, welcomed the finalist teams. In her speech, she thanked all the schools for their participation “because it encourages us to continue working on this project with enthusiasm.” She also explained that each edition highlights a female researcher. This year’s edition was dedicated to Pilar Manchón, Director of Artificial Intelligence Research Strategy at Google. Next, Naomi López, a consultant in Innovation, Branding, Technology, and Industrial Engineering, delivered the inspirational session: “From Choosing to Deciding: How to Use Your Talent to Your Advantage in a World Full of Options.” Finally, Florina Almenares, Academic Director of the UC3M STEM for Girls Program, spoke.
Once the presentations concluded, the six finalist teams tackled the challenges at the Getafe campus facilities and presented their findings to the jury. During the challenges, the finalist teams were supported by UC3M students from the Bachelor’s Degree in Data Analysis for Business and the Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science and Engineering, who served as mentors. The Data Science Gymkhana was designed by faculty from the university’s Department of Statistics, who also serve as judges for the challenges, and is made possible thanks to the commitment and work of secondary school teachers, particularly those teaching mathematics. Without them and the time they invest in the classroom, it would be impossible to spark curiosity about this scientific discipline and discover its applications in everyday life, according to the organizers.
The teams that reached the final are from IES Aguilar y Cano in Estepa, Legamar International School in Madrid, IES Álvaro Cunqueiro in Vigo, IES Mendillorri BHI in Pamplona, and IES Agra de Raíces in La Coruña. The winner in the 7th and 8th grade category was the “Puro Bat” team from IES Mendillorri BHI, and the winner in the 9th and 10th grade category was “Los analíticos” from Legamar International School.
The 6th Data Science Gymkhana was organized in collaboration with the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) of the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities. Through this activity, UC3M is committed to raising the profile of data science as a driver of social change and transformation and fostering curiosity about data science among students aged 12 to 16.
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