On May 7th, the Young Researchers’ Night, organized by the D. Filipa de Lencastre School Group (AEDFL), hosted the project “Today, I’m the Bioscientist!”. Led by Professor Nuno P. Mira from Instituto Superior Técnico and Professor Rosa Magalhães, with support from the Department of Bioengineering (DBE), the iBB – Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, and AEDFL, this project aimed to bring elementary school students closer to the fascinating world of life sciences, with a special focus on Microbiology.
Throughout the school year, the children explored what makes a living being… alive! They “built” animal, plant, and bacterial cells; classified living organisms using dichotomous keys; and delved into the intriguing topic of antibiotic resistance and its relationship with bacterial cell structure.
Under the motto “Discover, experiment, and investigate,” the young scientists embarked on an adventure where microbes took center stage — all while developing critical thinking and learning, through hands-on experience, the scientific method.
In a world challenged by misinformation, investing in science education from an early age is essential! This project showed how it can be done in a fun, engaging, and unforgettable way for all participants — students and teachers alike!