An educational itinerary through Madrid: The Spanish Enlightenment and the discovery of three chemical elements

Abstract

An educational and outreach itinerary through Madrid is presented, linking urban spaces with the Spanish Enlightenment and with the discovery of three chemical elements—platinum, tungsten, and vanadium—by Spanish scientists. The activity is integrated into previous outreach and Service‑Learning projects aimed at diverse audiences, and seeks to promote understanding of the relationships among Science, Technology, Society, History, and Art. The route, partly located within the current Paisaje de la Luz (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021), is structured into eight stages that contextualize royal manufactories, scientific institutions, and key figures of the eighteenth century. The contributions of Antonio de Ulloa—discoverer of platinum and member of the Geodesic Mission—of the Delhuyar brothers—who isolated tungsten—and of Andrés Manuel del Río—who identified erythronium, later renamed vanadium—are highlighted. Each stop incorporates brief explanations of scientific processes, historical controversies, and connections between Spain and the Viceregal America.