European Researchers Night takes Science route towards Coimbra historical center

The University of Coimbra associates itself to another edition of the European Researchers' Night ("Noite Europeia dos Investigadores" - NEI), with a set of initiatives that promote scientific communication from the Uptown to the Downtown city of Coimbra (Coimbra's "Alta" and "Baixa"). The main event, Rota de Ciência, takes place on September 24th, but the actions associated will start as early as next Friday, 10.

The proposal of this edition, under the theme Science for Climate, is to show how science can contribute to knowledge about the causes and effects of climate change and how to achieve carbon neutrality. In Coimbra, under the coordination of UC's Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, 48 in-person and 9 online activities are planned, involving more than 250 researchers and 40 doctoral students/volunteers, among 26 Research & Development units.

The face-to-face program on September 24th, the Science Route, includes 45 points across the Alta and Baixa de Coimbra (historical centre), where researchers and collaborators from the UC Science Centers and Museum will put into action activities between 4 pm and 11 pm. This Science Route is promoted in close collaboration with the Downton Coimbra Promotion Agency: each of the points on the route has a shopkeeper/trader from Uptown and Downtown as a partner. The aim is to bring the University closer to the general public.

For identifying all the places, activities, researchers involved and associated partners, a web app will be available (accessible from noiteeuropeiadosinvestigadores.uc.pt), which gathers all the information.

Associated activities

Alongside the face-to-face activities, NEI's national online program includes dozens of activities, nine of which involve UC investigators.

In Coimbra, the program also features three pre-event initiatives. On the 10th and 17th, Science Fridays will take place: four Science Mini-Shows at Largo da Portagem (4:30 pm) and Praça 8 de Maio (6:30 pm), offering a sample of what will happen during the 24th at the 45 points of the Science Route.

Between the 20th and the 23rd, the "Day before Night" actions will take place. The UC researchers will take their science activities with a practical component (respecting the health measures in force) to schools in the region of Coimbra, in awareness-raising actions that will act as a teaser for the NEI.

Finally, on September 21, an online Open Day will take place, involving various digital activities for schools. The program for schools is also available at noitedosinvestigadores.org.

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All information on the initiatives promoted by UC is available at noiteeuropeiadosinvestigadores.uc.pt and www.uc.pt/iii/nei.