As part of the orientation program for first-year students of various degrees at the Faculty of Biotechnology (ESB), in collaboration with Católica Solidária (CASO), an intergenerational initiative was held, bringing together students, grandparents, and seniors from institutions in Porto for an afternoon dedicated to science, knowledge sharing, and fun.
This year, the social volunteer program, an annual component of ESB’s welcome week, had a special format. Students were invited to bring their grandparents to participate in a session of simple scientific activities led by ESB professors and researchers from CBQF, aimed at promoting knowledge among the elderly. In addition to the students’ grandparents, about 60 seniors from various institutions in Porto participated, including ASAS de Ramalde, Centro Social da Foz do Douro, Casa de Lordelo - AOSSVP, and CMP (an institution of the Junta de Ramalde).
The activity "How do you organize your refrigerator?" stood out as the highlight of the event. The session covered highly relevant topics such as food safety, combating food waste, health, and sustainability. The participation was lively and interactive, with seniors raising pertinent questions and sharing their own experiences. "It was very interesting, I learned a lot and I’m already thinking about making changes at home", commented Luísa Martins, one of the participants from ASAS de Ramalde. Roberta Carvalho added, "It was interesting to learn all these things about bacteria in such a fun and educational way".
The students of the Faculty of Biotechnology took on the role of volunteers, welcoming and guiding the seniors throughout the activity. For many, this experience was more than just a moment of volunteering. "The activity was very productive; topics came up that we didn’t expect, but they turned out to be very interesting. Despite age or any difficulties, it was very interactive", said Rómulo Pinto, a first-year Science and Society student. Victory Ndu, a first-year Microbiology student, added: "We were able to show that science truly has no age. It was interesting to see how a topic like bacteria can bring everyone into a very interactive discussion".
The afternoon ended on a cheerful note with a performance by the Female Student Music Group of the Universidade Católica do Porto, which added even more joy to the event. The socializing continued with a shared snack in the ESB atrium, where Professor Paula Castro, Director of the Faculty of Biotechnology, was also present to congratulate the students on their participation and commitment. "Sharing enriches all ages: in this event, young university students encounter life perspectives tested by time and seasoned by many years of experience. As for the more seasoned young people, they familiarize themselves with objective readings of knowledge, often unexpected and always a starting point for reflection and later commentary. This results in an experience that broadens horizons and adds altruism to those involved, which we are determined to replicate in the future", said Paula Castro.
This welcoming activity highlighted the importance of intergenerational engagement and the role of science as a unifying factor between different generations, promoting knowledge and well-being for everyone involved.
