Empowering Young Minds Through Research: Insights from ES R-Xscape Talks and Interview sessions đź’ˇ
Fondo FormaciĂłn Euskadi hosted on the 8th of January an inspiring educational event designed to bring research competencies closer to young learners and demonstrate how these skills are applied across diverse professional sectors.
The event gathered four experts from different industries who shared their professional journeys and explained how research plays a fundamental role in their daily work. What made the initiative particularly unique was the active involvement of adolescent students from a collaborating educational centre, who later led interview sessions with the speakers.
David Fernández (Funeral Service Consultant, Grupo Memora), Ana Tere GarcĂa (Psychologist and mediator, Creer en Ti), Javier Castro (Soccer Coach and referee, Biscay Soccer Federation) and MarĂa JosĂ© Castro (HR Labour Relations Manager and Coorporate Training, BDO Bilbao) accompanied the students throughout the event, contributing with their expertise and experiences in their areas of work to highlight divergent and unique learning and research methods.
Expert Talks: Research Beyond Academia
The first part of the event followed a dynamic Ted Talk-style format, under the name R-Xscape Talks. Each of the four invited professionals delivered a short but impactful presentation focused on:
• Real-life professional challenges
• How research skills support problem-solving
• The importance of analytical thinking in technical and vocational careers
• The relevance of skills such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability
By sharing practical examples from sectors such as sport, business, psychology, and corporate training, the experts helped dismantle the common misconception that research is limited to high education or strictly academic careers.
Students were able to see that research competencies—such as curiosity, critical thinking, data analysis, and evidence-based decision-making—are essential tools across multiple fields of vocational and professional training.
An expert in someone who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field
Student-Led Interviews: From Listeners to Protagonists
In the second part of the event, students took centre stage.
After reflecting on their concerns and the aspects they wanted the experts to explore in greater Depth, all of them prepare questions in advance in order to conduct a live interviews with the professionals. This format encouraged:
- Active participation
- Critical questioning
- Public speaking practice
- Deeper reflection on career pathways
Students asked about the role of research in everyday professional tasks, how experts developed their competencies, and what advice they would give to young people considering vocational training paths. This interactive dynamic shifted students from passive listeners to active contributors, reinforcing their confidence and strengthening their communication skills.
Ignore in order to ask, and ask in order to know – that is learning.
R-Xscape Talks
Interview session
Research Competencies: Transversal and Future-Oriented
Throughout the session, one key message emerged clearly: research competencies are transversal. They are not confined to laboratories or academic institutions—they are essential in business decision-making, technical problem-solving, social innovation, digital development, and many other sectors.
Students expressed a greater awareness of how these abilities can be cultivated through different educational pathways offered within vocational and technical training.
One of the strongest takeaways from the day was the idea that there is no single “correct” path. Much like research itself, career development is a journey of exploration, experimentation, and continuous learning.
The mind is like a parachute: it only works if it’s open.”
A Step Towards Informed Career Choices
By connecting youngsters directly with professionals,R-Xscape project creates a meaningful bridge between education and the labour market. These kind of events not only broadened students’ understanding of available training areas, but also encouraged them to reflect on their own interests and potential future careers.
Initiatives like this reinforce the importance of experiential learning and demonstrate how educational institutions can actively support students in developing competencies that will be essential for their academic and professional futures.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our journey towards transforming education through immersive learning!
