From 30 August to 3 September, the Alameda campus of Instituto Superior Técnico hosted the 7th edition of the Astronomy Summer School (EVA) organised by ASTRO – the Astronomy Section of the Physics Group at Instituto Superior Técnico (NFIST). The initiative was attended by 30 secondary school students from different parts of the country for a week of activities dedicated to Astronomy, Astrophysics, Cosmology, and Gravitation.
Throughout the week, participants attended lectures, participated in workshops, and applied their knowledge in practical exercises. The balance between formal and informal moments “proved to be decisive for the initiative’s atmosphere”, explains Constança Mourão, a member of the EVA coordination team.
Among the most memorable activities, Constança Mourão recalls the night-time observations: “It was a very special moment: they set up the telescopes applying what they had learnt the day before with enormous enthusiasm and created such a unique atmosphere of conviviality that they even sang several songs and didn’t want the night to end”. The activity was held twice, at the request of the participants.
The Python workshop on exoplanets was also noteworthy: “participants found it particularly enriching because they felt they were not just programming, but applying knowledge to a real and meaningful problem”, she shares.
“EVA’s main goals are to create a dynamic and multidimensional learning environment that is not limited to the traditional relationship between professors and students, but also includes interaction between students and student monitors, and between the participants”, adds Constança Mourão.
“We received very positive feedback. The student monitors were very willing to accompany the participants throughout the day, sharing their own academic and personal experiences”, highlights Constança Mourão. “Students were very much enthusiastic and curious to learn, and greatly valued the informal moments of socialising”.
According to the event organisers, the impact of EVA extends beyond the week of activities: “Many participants keep in touch with student monitors and lecturers, creating lasting support networks. Additionally, EVA opens doors to new opportunities – which include the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad, whose Portuguese team this year included several former participants [of the programme]”.
As for the future, the NFIST team is already setting goals for the next editions: ‘Our main goal is to keep EVA completely free for all participants, as we believe that knowledge should be accessible to everyone and that economic factors should never be a barrier to learning”. Other objectives include increasing the number of places in degree programmes, strengthening visits to scientific institutions such as ESA and CERN, and moving towards the internationalisation of the Astronomy Summer School, ensuring the continuity and consolidation of the initiative.
