February 20, 2025
BSB Celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science with Mars Research Project Collaboration
On Tuesday, 11th February, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, The British School of Barcelona highlighted a STEM collaboration involving fourteen A level and IB female Year 12 students. Our pupils took part in the Hypatia II Scientific Project, designing and building an experiment to examine how light levels and different types of water affect the germination of tomato seeds, some of which have been sent to space.
This project was made possible through the collaboration of Estel Blay, an Aerospace Engineer and BSB parent, who is part of the research team leading the initiative.
Simulating Life on Mars
As part of the Hypatia II mission, an all-female crew spent two weeks at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in the Utah desert, simulating the conditions of a real Mars expedition. From Sunday, 2nd to Saturday, 15th February, the team lived in airtight habitats, conduct extravehicular activities, and perform scientific experiments—including the BSB students’ seed germination study. These missions provided valuable insights into the challenges astronauts may face on the Red Planet, from resource limitations to the psychological effects of confinement.
Growing Tomatoes for Space and Earth
Since a Mars round trip could take over two years, it is vital to learn how to grow food during the journey.
As part of the mission, our Year 12 students developed a plant-growing system to optimise conditions for tomato seeds. The experiment involved two seed sets: one exposed to space conditions through the Tomatosphere programme and another of regular seeds. The Tomatosphere programme investigates how space conditions affect seed germination and plant growth to support long-term human space travel.
During the two-week Hypatia mission, the crew monitored plant growth to evaluate the system and understand these effects. Tomatoes provide nourishment and purified water, making them ideal for space. This research also could benefit sustainable agriculture on Earth.
A Step Forward for Women in STEM
Hypatia Mars is a groundbreaking project aimed at inspiring the next generation, especially young girls and other underrepresented groups. Globally, only one in three scientists is a woman, with even fewer in the aerospace sector. Among astronauts, only one in ten is female—and none have ever set foot on the Moon.
The project, named after Hypatia of Alexandria—the earliest known female scientist—honours her contributions while also serving as a powerful symbol of female leadership and vision. It stands as a reminder of the recognition women deserve but have often been denied throughout history. The project coincided with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, further emphasising its dedication to promoting gender equity in scientific fields.
