It was with great enthusiasm that researchers Joana Barbosa, Joana Cristina Barbosa, Beatriz Bessa, and Rita Vedor were welcomed at S. João da Foz Primary School (March 12) and Paulo da Gama Primary School (March 14), for two mornings of scientific activities with young students. Several students from the 1st to the 4th grade eagerly attended the improvised laboratories to learn more about what "scientists" do in their daily work.

Although the atmosphere was playful, the students seriously engaged with important topics, such as discussing how healthy their diet is and the importance of taking antibiotics correctly when dealing with a throat infection. They also had the opportunity to "pretend" to handle their own microorganisms in the lab, experiencing the role of a real scientist by observing bacteria and yeast relevant to the food sector under the microscope.

"We know we are doing something meaningful with these children when we hear them confidently say, ‘When I grow up, I want to be a scientist,’" shares researcher Joana Cristina Barbosa.

Rita Vedor states: 'There is nothing that makes me happier than seeing the sparkle in children's eyes, their eagerness and curiosity to experiment, touch, and discover! We may not be able to amaze everyone, but if we manage to inspire at least one child to want to learn more about science, that alone makes me very happy!'

Joana Barbosa further adds: 'It is always a pleasure to do science with young children. The enthusiasm they show, even for the simplest things, and their eagerness to learn are truly contagious!'

This initiative took place as part of the "Reading and Science Week," integrated into the STEAM Júnior Project, a program promoted by Clube Ciência Viva na Escola and developed by the Agrupamento de Escolas Garcia de Orta in Porto.