When Science Leaves the Classroom: Sir David Klenerman Discovers Our Students’ Work at Palacio de Granda

During Princess of Asturias Awards Week, we had the opportunity to share a day with Sir David Klenerman, 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Scientific and Technical Research laureate.

At Palacio de Granda, we believe that learning science means much more than studying theories, memorising concepts or understanding how certain processes work. It means asking questions, experimenting, researching and discovering for oneself. And few experiences better represent this approach to learning than being able to share our work with someone who has dedicated his career to expanding the boundaries of scientific knowledge.

On the occasion of Princess of Asturias Awards Week in Oviedo, our school welcomed Sir David Klenerman, who was awarded the 2026 prize alongside Shankar Balasubramanian and Pascal Mayer for their contributions to the development of DNA sequencing technologies, which have transformed genetic research and its applications in medicine and biology.

It was a very special day for our students, who had the opportunity to talk with an internationally renowned scientist, learn more about his career and ask him questions about some of the major challenges facing research today.

From Questions to Discoveries: A Conversation with Cutting-Edge Science

How does a scientist’s passion for their field begin? What happens when an experiment does not turn out as expected? How far can artificial intelligence go in the development of new medical treatments?

These were some of the questions our students put to Sir David Klenerman during the meeting. The conversation went far beyond learning about his discoveries and also offered an insight into the reality of scientific research: its difficulties, uncertainties and the importance of remaining curious.

The scientist shared a particularly valuable reflection with the students on perseverance and the need to dare to explore new paths:

“Science is not predictable, but advances will not happen unless you are brave and take the first steps. You should not let repeated failures discourage you.”

A message that directly connects with one of the ideas we try to convey every day at our school: making mistakes is also part of learning and, very often, it is precisely what allows us to move forward.

Our Laboratory: A Space to Research and Share Knowledge

If there was one particularly meaningful moment during the visit, it was when our students were able to switch roles and become the ones explaining science.

In our laboratory, under the guidance of Beatriz García Granda, Head of the Science Department, the students had carried out a project involving the synthesis of their own DNA. During the visit, they had the opportunity to explain the different stages of the process to Sir David Klenerman, share how they had conducted the experiment and show him firsthand what they had learned.

For us, this exchange represents an essential part of our approach to education: we want our students not only to be able to understand the knowledge they acquire, but also to apply it, explain their discoveries and actively participate in their own learning.

Being able to share this work with one of the researchers who have helped revolutionise DNA sequencing made the experience even more meaningful.

This Is How We Approach Science Education at Palacio de Granda

Sir David Klenerman’s visit also allowed us to highlight the work we regularly carry out in our classrooms and laboratories.

At Palacio de Granda, we are committed to science education in which theory and practice complement each other. Our students conduct experiments, work with scientific procedures, observe results, formulate hypotheses and learn to communicate their conclusions.

This approach helps them develop skills that go far beyond scientific knowledge: critical thinking, analytical skills, problem-solving, creativity and confidence in facing new challenges.

We want our students to understand how the world works, but also to feel capable of asking questions, seeking answers and contributing to the advances that will shape the future.

That is why introducing them to researchers such as Sir David Klenerman is so important. It allows them to discover that behind major scientific breakthroughs are people with curiosity, observational skills, perseverance and a passion for learning.

A Visit We Will Remember

Princess of Asturias Awards Week gives us the opportunity to bring our educational community closer to people who are helping transform different fields of knowledge. Sir David Klenerman’s visit has undoubtedly been one of those experiences that leave a lasting impression.

We will remember our students’ questions, their enthusiasm as they explained the work carried out in the laboratory, and the opportunity to share a day with a researcher whose career demonstrates just how far scientific curiosity can take us.

At Palacio de Granda, we would like to thank Sir David Klenerman and the Princess of Asturias Foundation for their warmth and generosity.

We will continue working to ensure that our students not only learn science, but also have the opportunity to experience it, experiment with it and discover everything they can achieve through it.

Would you like to discover what Sir David Klenerman’s visit to Palacio de Granda was like?

We invite you to watch the video of the visit.

Watch the video of Sir David Klenerman at Palacio de Granda