Science Fest Officially Kicks Off at ESCOM

Reporter: Adda Avendaño / Photographer: Israel Vera

Influencer and science communicator Polilinker delivered an opening keynote sharing her journey in public science communication.

Science is not merely researched; it is also shared, experienced, and enjoyed. Driven by this principle, the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), through the Directorate for Science Outreach and Technology (DDiCyT), officially inaugurated the second edition of Science Fest on September 28—an event designed to transform science communication into an interactive, participatory experience.

"What's Up with Science Communication on Social Media?" served as the opening keynote address, where science communicator and Polytechnic alumna Paulina Aguilar—better known online as Polilinker—recounted her transition from Biotechnology Engineering to becoming a prominent digital creator.

As part of the "Voices of Science" program, Polilinker explained how social media platforms can be strategically leveraged to communicate complex scientific topics in a clear, creative, and highly accessible manner.

Hosted at the School of Computer Science (Escuela Superior de Cómputo, ESCOM), Science Fest features two full days of hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and keynote lectures aimed at connecting Polytechnic research with priority national challenges such as environmental sustainability, healthcare, energy transition, connectivity, aerospace innovation, and food security.

The event features four main interactive categories:

• Science Seedbeds: Fostering early research interest among youth. • Voices of Science Outreach: Keynotes and dialogues led by prominent national and international communicators. • Science Hub: Practical workshops and active experimental learning spaces. • Outreach Frontiers: Dynamic exhibits designed to explore science in an engaging, hands-on environment.

During the opening ceremony in the ESCOM Auditorium, José Nicolás Fernández García, Director of Research at the Secretariat of Research and Postgraduate Studies (SIP), emphasized that public outreach represents a fundamental duty for higher education institutions, as it opens up laboratory knowledge for the broader public to understand and appreciate.

"Researching means expanding the frontiers of knowledge; outreach means opening those frontiers so society can discover them, understand them, and participate in the breakthroughs that transform the nation," Fernández García stated.

Science communication also possesses a deeply educational dimension, he added, noting that a single demonstration, experiment, or conversation with a specialist can ignite a lifelong passion in a young student—one of Science Fest's greatest strengths.

The Research Director noted that a primary objective of the festival is to demystify science, ensuring it is no longer perceived as something distant, but as an engaging experience that prompts questions and stimulates the imagination of new generations.

In this regard, he highlighted the active participation of iconic IPN institutions, including the "Luis Enrique Erro" Planetarium, which brings cosmic knowledge to the public; the Tezozómoc Museum, where technology becomes an interactive experience; and ESCOM, showcasing cutting-edge developments in computer science, Artificial Intelligence, and digital technologies.

Joined by ESCOM Director Iván Giovanny Mosso García, the head of DDiCyT at SIP, Dr. Fernando Montes Carrillo, affirmed that Science Fest represents an invaluable opportunity to take science communication far beyond merely publishing research findings.

"Science does not belong solely to professional researchers; it belongs to anyone who is curious, to those who ask how and why things happen, and to those who marvel at an experiment and choose to keep asking questions," Montes Carrillo emphasized. "That is why our hands-on workshops share a clear purpose: to transform curiosity into knowledge and knowledge into a meaningful experience."

Through this second edition of Science Fest, the IPN reaffirms its commitment to public science outreach as part of its educational, scientific, and social responsibility, creating spaces where classroom knowledge steps beyond academic walls to connect directly with society.