More than 500 elementary and secondary school students participate in the International Microorganism Day show
More than 500 elementary and secondary school students celebrated the fascinating world of microorganisms with the Faculty of Biotechnology. As part of the International Microorganism Day, celebrated on September 17, the Faculty promoted an open-air exhibition on September 23, which was attended by several researchers from the Center for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF) who, with their vast experience, prepared and promoted several interactive activities. The objective was to make known the versatility and applications of microorganisms, namely: in water treatment, in food production, in the role of microorganisms in ecosystems, in food safety, in the production of compounds of biotechnological interest, among others.
In total, there were 21 different stands, in which games and various activities were held, such as the observation of microorganisms, demonstrations and artistic installations, “Fight food waste”, “There is life in the soil”, “What don't you want on your plate? ”, “Circular Kombucha”, among many others. At the end of the day, prizes sponsored by the Faculty of Biotechnology and the Federation of European Microbiological Societies were raffled off.
Paula Castro, director of the Faculty of Biotechnology, states that “this and other ESB events result from a deep feeling that science is fascinating and reveals an infinitely intelligent world”. “I believe that the large hundreds of students of all ages who were with us on this day will never again think of a microorganism as simply something unpleasant or a mistake of Nature”, she concludes.
The more than 500 students, who were accompanied by their teachers, came from schools in the districts of Porto (Porto, Rio Tinto, Valongo and Gaia) and Aveiro (Espinho and São João da Madeira). “Fun”, “joy”, “I learned a lot in a different way”, “enriching”, “they helped us make a future decision” and “we hope to come back”: these were some of the most heard words by students about this experience.
Joana Barbosa, researcher and member of the event’s organization, shares that this event “was crucial to, in a playful and fun way, show young people that, despite microorganisms causing diseases or even deteriorating and contaminating food, they also play a beneficial role in our lives."
Given the success recognized by all participants, the organization of the event hopes to arrange a meeting in a next edition. “It is important to appreciate the importance of this type of activities in the growth and learning of these students, leaving, perhaps, a micro-seed for the future generation of new researchers,” concludes Joana Barbosa.
Crédito da fotografia: Cláudia Neto.