Abstract:

As ICFO’s flagship outreach program, the Young Photonics Congress (YPC) is a unique scientific congress that brings together active researchers and students in a shared scientific space. This direct interaction makes the YPC an exceptional educational platform within the preuniversity STEM landscape.

The YPC, organized annually by ICFO (Institut de Ciències Fotòniques), is an educational initiative designed to engage high school students in authentic scientific practices through the creation, presentation and peer discussion of photonics‑related research projects. Since its inception in 2015, the program has aimed to cultivate inquiry‑based learning, foster scientific identity, and build bridges between secondary schools and cutting-edge research environments. The YPC provides a structured framework in which students develop skills aligned with scientific literacy, including hypothesis formulation, experimental design, data interpretation and effective oral communication.

The congress has also served as a long-term observational field for how sustained outreach programs can drive both student engagement, diversity and pedagogical impact. Regarding engagement, the YPC has consistently mobilized dozens of schools and hundreds of students annually, bringing together more than 1400 participants, including high school students, teachers, educators, parents as well as early-stage researchers and experienced scientists. Across the eleven editions, the number of projects per congress ranged from 12 (during COVID’s pandemic) to 43 with a total of 246, with corresponding fluctuations in student authorship between 15 and 81 participants and 440 authors in total. These variations reflect evolving school involvement and the ability of the congress to attract and retain participation. In terms of diversity, the initiative has progressively expanded its geographical reach, with some editions representing more than 18 regions, including rural areas. A gradual shift toward gender balance in scientific participation also indicates that the congress has become more inclusive over time and has contributed to broadening access to STEM pathways. Diversity is also reflected in the scientific community involved in the congress, as participating researchers represent a wide range of genders and backgrounds, enriching the experience with multiple perspectives and professional trajectories. From a pedagogical perspective, the integration of projects originating from complementary ICFO educational pathways, including teaching resource programs and high‑school research stages, highlights the congress’s role as an ecosystem where multiple learning experiences converge.

Overall, the YPC has become a robust outreach and enduring program supporting progressive skill acquisition and enhancing students’ sense of belonging within scientific communities. Over a decade of implementation, its evolution underscores the importance of continuity, mentorship and authentic assessment in STEM outreach. Importantly, the qualitative engagement is evidenced by the sustained contact many participants maintain with the ICFO community, demonstrating a lasting connection and continued interest in scientific involvement. The results presented contribute to understanding how long-term, research‑driven educational initiatives can strengthen motivation, autonomy and participation among students while reinforcing collaborations between schools and research institutions.

Keywords:

Outreach, photonics, STEM education experiences, high school education, diversity.