Curiosity and enthusiasm set the pace of the more than 25 experiences involving microorganisms which turned the Universidade Católica Portuguesa campus gardens into a real open-air laboratory: micro-cosmetics, biomaterials in the to fight against chronic wounds, there is life in the soil, molecular gastronomy, among others. Around 800 elementary and high school students participated in the International Microorganism Day Science fair, promoted by the Faculty of Biotechnology (ESB) and Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF), aiming to “contribute to scientific literacy amongst the younger generation”.
Paula Castro, director of the Faculty of Biotechnology also explains that, as a faculty, “we have the mission to provide the young ones with moments when they can experiment and listen to our students, researchers and scientists talking about, in this specific case, the important role of microorganisms in so many fields.”
“With this initiative, we intend to showcase several practical examples of how the microbes, although invisible to the naked eye, play a major role in our food, environment and health” highlights Joana Barbosa, researcher and member of the organizing committee of this initiative, adding that “as an example, the human cells constitute only 43% of the total body cell count, with the remaining part being microorganisms.”
“A very enriching event”
The event, which happened on September 15th, within the scope of the International Microorganism Day, celebrated on the 17th, allowed hundreds of students to experience a varied number of activities that promoted their contact with the fascinating world of microbiology.
Hundreds of children and teenagers applied biomaterials to fight chronic wounds, allowing them to make a practical application of biomaterials as healing auxiliaries and as protection agents against microbial infections; organized the fridge, learning the most correct way to avoid food contamination and spoilage; visualized the human skin microbiome, specifically the hands; observed bacteria and learned about antibiotic resistance and how to distinguish between good and bad bacteria; worked on molecular gastronomy procedures, performing the encapsulation of probiotics to be used in food products, and so much more.
From experiment to experiment, the visitors kept on sharing their experiences. It is the love and the “interest in Biology” and for “always learning more” that moves the majority of the young students to participate in this event. “A very enriching event” that allows them not only to discover “the importance of the microorganisms in their lives”, but also “to find their university path and the course they want to pursue”.
Science and Technology for the younger generation
Fernando Paulo, Education representative of the Porto City Hall, congratulated ESB and CBQF for the “excellent initiative”, which constitutes “a very interesting contribution to the young students and the schools” and an unique opportunity to “promote the literacy in science and technology and awaken and raise awareness to the importance of this particular field.”
The ESB director also recalls that “life on our planet is only possible due to the microbes. The more we know them, the more positive our coexistence with them will be.”
This event was also sponsored by companies, whose industrial processes are directly linked to microbiology: maiKombucha brought its drinks and explained its production process, while RDD Textiles showed its innovative process of fabric dyeing.
Em 2022, the International Microorganism Day Science fair gathered around 500 visitors, which constituted a landmark of success in the ability to mobilize so many young people around Microbiology. An initiative that is consolidated and highlights ESB's mission to “ignite the younger generation around science”, highlights the faculty director.
