From the mystery of the Salvator Mundi to the screts of the Universe: DIPC joins EHU Zientzia Astea 2026

2026 Oct 27

Science meets the public at the latest edition of EHU’s Zientzia Astea, with activities that bring together art, physics and materials science to spark curiosity, encourage hands-on exploration and inspire wonder.

From the mystery of the Salvator Mundi to the screts of the Universe: DIPC joins EHU Zientzia Astea 2026

What can science reveal about one of the most enigmatic paintings in history? What is the universe made of? And how can we explore the properties of the materials around us? The DIPC invites visitors to seek answers to these and many other questions at Zientzia Astea 2026, EHU’s Science Week, with a varied programme of talks, workshops and science outreach activities in Bilbao and San Sebastián.

The Salvator Mundi: where art and science meet

"The Salvator Mundi through the lens of science” will bring together renowned New York-based conservator Dianne Modestini and crystallographer Juan Manuel García-Ruiz, an Ikerbasque professor at the DIPC, in Bilbao and San Sebastián. They will share their perspectives on the restoration of this celebrated painting attributed to Leonardo da Vinci and present a joint research project focusing on one of its most intriguing details: the crystal orb held by the figure depicted in the painting. This is an opportunity to discover how science can offer new insights into the interpretation of a work of art and open up new avenues of research into its secrets.

What is the universe made of? Physics in action

For those who prefer learning through experimentation, the DIPC is offering the workshop “Cosmic Rays and Elementary Particles”, a science outreach activity for all audiences featuring the centre’s Particle Physics group. Through experimental demonstrations using two fascinating devices—a Van de Graaff generator and a cloud chamber—participants will be introduced to some of the fundamental concepts of physics and discover phenomena that, although invisible to the naked eye, help us understand the universe.

The workshop will be held in Spanish at Tabakalera, with two sessions:

Materials science: discover it together as a family

As has become tradition, the research centres CIC nanoGUNE, the Centre for Materials Physics (CFM CSIC-EHU), POLYMAT and the DIPC are joining forces to offer two activities in San Sebastián that have become Zientzia Astea favourites: the “Exploring the World of Materials” discovery space and the “Scale Up Your World” workshop. Both activities invite visitors to discover science through curiosity and experimentation, bringing the fascinating world of materials closer to audiences of different ages and offering families an opportunity to enjoy science together.

The “Exploring the World of Materials” discovery space will welcome school groups and will also be open to the general public at the following times:

  • Friday, 6 November (5:00–7:00 pm) – Tabakalera, Donostia / San Sebastián
  • Saturday, 7 November (10:00 am–2:30 pm / 4:00–7:00 pm) – Tabakalera, Donostia / San Sebastián

The “Scale Up Your World” workshop, aimed at children aged 3–10, will offer a single bilingual session:

  • Saturday, 7 November (12:15 pm) – Registration required.

Registration and full programme

Advance registration is required for the workshops. Registration opens on 26 October via the Zientzia Astea website.

The San Sebastián programme also features numerous activities, educational trails and events for all audiences. Visit the Zientzia Astea San Sebastián website for full details and to plan your visit.