The Bio & Tec: Scientist for a Day initiative is returning to the Faculty of Biotechnology at Universidade Católica Portuguesa no Porto, with a simple yet effective proposal: to give students interested in biotechnology-related fields the opportunity to spend a day experiencing what it is like to work side by side with a researcher.

The initiative is free of charge and takes place during the summer months, between July and August.

An immersive experience

More than just a visit, participants shadow a researcher in a specific area of biotechnology, observing a typical working day in a laboratory environment similar to the one they would encounter in the undergraduate and master’s programmes at the Faculty of Biotechnology.

This experience allows prospective students to gain a better understanding of the pace, challenges and opportunities of a scientific career before making decisions about their academic future.

How to participate

Those interested should contact the email biotecnologia@ucp.pt, indicating their preferred date, which can be consulted here. The initiative is designed for anyone who would like to be a “scientist for a day” and discover, in practical terms, what it really means to follow this path.

Bringing science closer

At a time when scientific literacy is becoming increasingly important, programmes like this play a clear role in opening doors, inspiring vocations and helping to break down the distant image that often surrounds scientific research.

By allowing students to spend a day inside a laboratory, the Faculty of Biotechnology helps bridge the gap between secondary and higher education, making science more tangible, more human and more accessible.

The initiative also reinforces the institution’s role in going beyond simply educating students, actively engaging with the community and inspiring future generations of scientists. For many participants, this may be their first real contact with a career in biotechnology and, in some cases, the beginning of a life-changing decision.

Ultimately, it is a practical way of bringing young people closer to science through direct contact with real research and with the people who make it happen. It should also be noted that all activities are covered by insurance provided by the school, further reinforcing the safety and organisation of the initiative.