Science and Technology Week - Outreach Activity
Science and Technology Week - Outreach Activity
This week, CERENA celebrated Science and Technology Week 2024 by visiting seven primary school classes, bridging the gap between the two ends of the public educational system. Our mission was to share the excitement and importance of science with young minds, but we ended up discoverig how challenging and rewarding this task can be.
Simulating chemical molecule reactions or solving inverse geophysical problems can be tedious. But the real challenge is: how do we explain to primary school students what we do, and especially why it matters?
A Reciprocal Exchange
Our visits were a reciprocal exchange of ideas and experiences. The children saw real scientists in action and participated in hands-on activities that sparked their curiosity and imagination. Whether building water filters, learning about geothermal energy, or exploring the mysteries of ocean sounds, the students gained insights beyond what their teachers or textbooks can provide. In turn, we also learned priceless lessons from the children, their teachers, and the school environment.
What We Taught
Each scientist brought a unique perspective to share. Danilo discussed the importance of wastewater treatment and its impact on human health and the environment. He guided the children in building simple filtration systems modeled after those used in water treatment plants. The kids understood the importance of clean water and why it’s vital to treat it before returning it to nature.
Housam took on the harsh task of explaining geothermal energy to a class of first graders, in English! The concept of using hot water beneath the Earth's surface to generate energy for homes and cities seemed abstract at first. But Sam’s enthusiasm and simple experiment – using hot water and a balloon, made the lesson easier and fun. They were given a balloon to replicate the experiment at home and share their new knowledge with their parents.
Leonardo’s lesson on oceanography was playful and engaging. He introduced the children to the wonders of underwater sound. “If it's too dark to see, how do we know what's beneath the waves?” The kids learned how scientists use sound waves to map the ocean, just like bats use echolocation. The final game of guessing the sources of various ocean sounds in a quiz-style game was the highlight for the kids. Every correct—and incorrect—answer was accompanied by a blast of cheers and a joyful “YEEEEEEEEEHH” of several decibels.
Finally, João showed 8th grade class how we can “see” what lies beneath our feet using different geophysical techniques. Even if the kids were tired – the hour after lunch and before a chemistry test is never easy – they asked many questions. João showcased a robo-dog that is going to be used in a CERENA project to survey contaminated abandoned mines site. Both kids and professors loved it.
What We Learned
While the children were learning, we were learning too. The interactions with the teachers, always kind and warm to us, was a powerful reminder of the role of educators – from kindergarten to university – in shaping future generations.
The dedication and challenges that public school teachers face daily was inspiring. Most classes face overwhelming challenges, especially the ones with kids from diverse backgrounds – most of them. We witnessed the reality that chronically underfunded schools serve as vital spaces for personal and cultural development. In these classrooms, children learn not only science but also important life skills such as empathy, respect, and intercultural understanding. Kids can’t care less about their differences, as they are too focused on what’s important – what they have in common.
Curiosity and Education
Our main takeaway is that minds of children are like sparks that need to be ignited, rather than boxes that need to be filled with information. The connection between scientific research and education is not just about passing on facts—it’s about sparking curiosity, fostering creativity, and building bridges between different areas of knowledge. As researchers, we can carry with us the lessons learned from the classrooms: the importance of making science accessible and the power of curiosity to change the world.
CERENA and our hosting institutions look forward to future outreach initiatives, while we remain committed to strengthening the connections with schools, ensuring that scientific discovery is not just for researchers, but for everyone. Through these efforts, we aim to ignite curiosity and inspire the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and problem-solvers.
