‘Water Night’, organised by IMDEA Water on Friday 26 September as part of European Researchers’ Night in Madrid, was a huge success, exceeding all expectations. Under the slogan ‘Mission Science’, the institute opened its doors to show the public the work of its researchers, creating a participatory and educational experience.

During the afternoon, dozens of people of all ages enjoyed eight activities, seven stands and a workshop, designed to encourage curiosity and reflection on environmental challenges such as pollution, climate change and antibiotic resistance.

Among the highlights of the event were:

• The workshop ‘The Mystery of Aquatic DNA’ was fully booked. Attendees actively participated in learning how to analyse biological traces in water.
• The stands offered demonstrations on electroactive bacteria for cleaning and reusing water, microplastics, food webs, elimination of emerging pollutants, and other topics of environmental relevance.
• Research staff and the public were able to interact freely, allowing questions to be answered, concepts to be clarified, and new concerns about water-related research to be raised.

The atmosphere was very positive, and several visitors expressed their surprise and enthusiasm at how accessible and exciting science applied to water can be. The free activities, open to all, reached families, students, and interested adults, reinforcing IMDEA Water’s commitment to open science and environmental awareness.

NIGHTMADRID is a science outreach project, coordinated by the Fundación madri+d and funded by the European Union covered by the Horizon Europe Programme, belonging to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions under grant agreement nº101.162.110