18 students explore the world of research at IMDEA Networks through the 4ºESO+Empresa Program

A hands-on introduction to life at a cutting-edge research institute

09 April 2025

Over two days, on April 8 and 9, 18 students in their fourth year of secondary education took part in an educational stay at IMDEA Networks to learn firsthand how work is carried out at an international technology research center. This initiative is part of the 4ºESO+Empresa program by the Community of Madrid, which promotes early contact with the professional world and helps students gain insight into their future academic and career paths.

The group, coming from IES Isaac Albéniz, IES Arquitecto Peridis, IES Maestro Matías Bravo, and IES Francisco Umbral, had the chance to get immersed in the institute’s day-to-day activities and explore a range of professional roles, from administration to engineering and scientific research.

On the first day, administrative assistant Alex Delgado introduced them to the inner workings of the center, highlighting how the various technical, scientific, and administrative departments coordinate. Communication Manager Marta Dorado explained the importance of science communication and how the communications team makes complex ideas accessible to the general public, with a focus on social media management. She also guided them through the first steps of creating their own WordPress website, as a way to build digital skills and shape their professional identity.

The morning continued with a visit to the 5TONIC lab and the data center (CPD), where systems administrator Neftalí González gave a hands-on explanation of how 5G networks work and the role of the electromagnetic spectrum in today’s telecommunications.

On the second day, engineer José Pandelo introduced them to the more operational side of working with data, showing them the kinds of opportunities that exist beyond research. He also led a practical exercise in which students created a machine learning model using both traditional algorithms and neural networks.

Later, Mohammaderfan Jabbari, research engineer, shared his experience in the world of science and explained what a research career looks like, along with the different paths available inside and outside academia. He also discussed some of the projects currently underway at IMDEA Networks. Our General Manager Ramón Girona followed with an interactive session on binary and hexadecimal code, using a seven-segment display to show how digital information is represented and processed.

Before wrapping up the day, students visited the Wireless Networking Group lab, where Anthony Sánchez introduced them to some of the cutting-edge research being conducted in areas such as 6G and wave reflection.

The experience concluded with a telecom-themed escape room designed to reinforce the knowledge gained through a fun, engaging activity. Beatriz Martín was responsible for guiding them through the development of this activity. It forms part of the Teleco Renta project, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation and the European Union–NextGenerationEU through the UNICO-5G R&D program of the Spanish Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan.

With this experience, we hope to have sparked curiosity about science and technology and helped students expand their perspective on future career possibilities.