Children and scientists communicate through Citizen Science project
Program encompasses Portuguese-speaking countries and aims to break stereotypes
The involvement of children in the discovery of scientific research processes is at the heart of the Cartas com Ciência project. The initiative, inspired by the American project Letters to a Pre-Scientist, is a spin-off from Native Scientist and promotes the exchange of letters between scientists and children in Portuguese-speaking countries. The University of Coimbra is a partner of the project, which started on May 5, 2020, International Day of the Portuguese Language.
At the heart of the program's objectives is the intention to mitigate barriers and prejudices related to higher education and scientific careers. The exchange of letters for this first year of the program began in September and continues until June 2021, in Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe and Timor-Leste. In Angola and Mozambique, the program takes off in February and continues until November 2021. Registration for corresponding scientists is open and can be done at this link.
The program model is based on four pillars: Science, Education, Language and Society. In what concerns the science pillar, researchers are provided with experience in scientific communication, enabling them to establish more meaningful relationships with society. From an educational point of view, considering that most Portuguese-speaking countries are classified as low or medium-low income, the program works with teachers and students to promote scientific and linguistic literacy, educational and professional aspirations through individual and long-term exchanges between students and scientists.
From a linguistic point of view, there is the promotion of Portuguese as a language of knowledge and opportunities, of solidarity and of cooperation between countries whose official language is Portuguese, given that, for many children in these countries, Portuguese is not their mother tongue. Finally, as far as society is concerned, the idea is to help to break stereotypes about science, scientists and developing countries, improving the way societies view education, science and diversity.
The project was founded by Mariana Alves, a doctoral student at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg and former Biochemistry student at the Faculty of Science and Technology at UC (FCTUC), and Rafael Galupa, also a researcher at the Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg.
As a partner institution, the UC highlighted, last week, one of the program's experiences in São Tomé and Príncipe: the exchange of letters between researcher Maria do Céu Madureira, from the FCTUC Center for Functional Ecology (CEF) and a 9th year student (read more and watch the video on Notícias UC).
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Cartas com Ciência (Letters with Science) - official website