With the primary goal of promoting scientific and technological culture, as well as stimulating interest in biotechnology, the Faculty of Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Portuguesa - Porto (ESB) organized the national final of the 18th Biotechnology Olympiad in partnership with the Sociedade Portuguesa de Biotecnologia. In the main category, the three winning students came from Escola Secundária de Cacilhas-Tejo (Almada), Escola Secundária Afonso Lopes Vieira (Leiria), and Colégio de Gaia. In the best composition category, a student from Escola Secundária de Cacilhas-Tejo won, with honorable mentions for Escola Secundária de Valongo and Colégio Santo António International School (Estoril).
Throughout the day, participants had the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in biotechnology in a challenging environment interspersed with networking opportunities. This national final represented the culmination of a competition that included two local eliminations, leaving several hundred participants along the way.
For Egídia Azevedo, a Biology teacher at Escola Secundária de Cacilhas-Tejo, this event was a unique opportunity for students to showcase their potential. 'Participating in these kinds of activities stimulates the development of students' multiple skills and opens up a vast array of new horizons for the future, as it allows them to visit laboratory spaces and experience a professional environment', she stated.
The students also shared their experiences and satisfaction in participating in the Biotechnology Olympiad. Joana Mendes Coelho, a 12th-grade student at Escola Secundária de Cacilhas-Tejo and one of the winners, highlighted the importance of events like this for her academic and personal development. 'I was encouraged by a teacher, and since I also have an interest in biomedical and biotechnological research, this event was even more interesting' she noted.
Camila Santos Pereira, a 12th-grade student at Escola Secundária Afonso Lopes Vieira and also a winner, emphasized: "One of my options for higher education is Biotechnology, and events like this help us better understand this field. Through the written test and laboratory activities, we get to know the course better." Afonso Esteira, a 12th-grade student at Colégio de Gaia, added: 'I think biotechnology is an interesting field, and that's why I signed up. In the future, I would like to pursue something related to this branch'.
This national final, which took place on May 17, 2024, was not just an intellectual competition but also a celebration of the talent and dedication of high school students interested in the fields of science and technology. The Faculty of Biotechnology played a fundamental role in hosting and organizing this event, demonstrating its commitment to promoting scientific literacy.
