The first edition of the CERCA Centres Scientific Enigma concludes with nearly 90 participants

The first edition of the CERCA Centres Scientific Enigma attracted nearly 90 participants. Over a five-month period, staff members from CERCA research centres received a monthly science-related riddle inspired by the iconic #Enigmàrius word game, which entertained Catalunya Ràdio listeners for many years. The initiative, promoted by the Institute for Biomedical Research of Lleida (IRBLleida), aimed to foster a sense of community around science in Catalan through engaging and participatory activities.

The top three participants in the Scientific Enigma competition were all members of IRBLleida staff who correctly solved all five riddles. Participating CERCA centres included theInstitut de Salut Global de Barcelona, Centre de Ciència i Tecnologia Forestal de Catalunya, Institut Català d'Investigació Química, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Institut de Recerca Hospital del Mar, IRB CatSud, Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Institut de Recerca Contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, and IRBLleida itself.

IRBLleida launched this science outreach initiative in collaboration with IRB CatSud as part of the project "Encomana el català" ("Spread Catalan"), funded by the Agency for Management of University and Research Grants. The project has included the preparation of the centre's scientific report in Catalan, the updating and improvement of IRBLleida's welcome handbook in Catalan, two Catalan language courses (beginner and advanced levels), the organisation of in-person and online language exchange partnerships between the two CERCA  centres, and the Scientific Enigma competition.

In addition, as part of the project, IRB CatSud produced a trilingual scientific vocabulary guide that includes scientific terms in Catalan together with their Spanish and English translations.