The UPV opens its new museum, 'Ciència i Falles'

The Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) has inaugurated the new 'Ciència i Falles' museum. Located in the Polytechnic City of Innovation, the UPV's science park, the museum showcases the winning ninots and scenes from the two editions of the 'La Ciència a les Falles' competition held to date, promoted by the university in 2024.

The museum displays the endearing and thought-provoking ninot of a young female scientist conducting a small experiment in class, with two direct references to 11 February, International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Created by artist Álvaro Guija, this ninot won the Creu i Mislata commission first prize in the children's category of the 2024 competition. Next to it is a ninot of a psychologist in her office 'specialising in ChatJDT' – a satire on artificial intelligence – with which Creu i Mislata also won first prize in the adult category.

The museum also takes us to the figure of Nikola Tesla, with a ninot by Alejandro López with which Cuba-Puerto Rico won second prize in the children's category, and to the inside of the human body, specifically to a funny red blood cell by Vicente Espeleta for the Burjassot Maestro Lope-José Carsí commission, which won third prize in the first edition of the competition.

From Jane Goodall to Dexter

Among the 2025 winners, the museum exhibits a scene of Jane Goodall, created by Francisco Tarazona for the Carrera San Luis-Rafael Albiñana commission, which won first prize in the children's category; and a ninot that transports us to the legendary series Once Upon a Time... Life, created by Santiago Parrado for Sainetero Arniches-Arquitecto Ribes, which won second prize in the children's category; and a hilarious ninot of Dexter, with which the Pascual Capuz-Fontanars falla won third prize in this category, created by artist Jesús Liñana Ferrando (Hawa).

'Two years ago, we launched our 'La Ciència a les Falles' competition, and now, with the opening of the museum's permanent home in our science park, we are taking another step towards our goal of bringing science closer to society through our city's biggest festival and its main protagonists: the Fallas committees and Fallas artists,' said José E. Capilla, rector of the UPV.

The Ciència i Falles museum at the UPV, located in the lobby of the purple cube of the Polytechnic City of Innovation, will grow year after year, with the winners of each edition, and is the result of the joint work between the Scientific Culture and Innovation Unit (UCC+I) of the Communication Area, the Art and Heritage Fund Area and the Avda. Tarongers - Universitat Politècnica-Camí de Vera commission.

The project also has the collaboration of the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) of the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities.

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