Under an improvised checkerboard, a group of young people discussed probabilities while closely observing the movement of the pieces. Bets were placed on which piece would reach the goal first, based on the sum rolled on the dice. “Checkers number 1 never moves forward”, explained Rita Soares, a member of the Centre for Mathematical Analysis, Geometry, and Dynamical Systems (CAMGSD), amid good-humored protests from those who realised they had chosen the ‘wrong’ piece. This moment captured the spirit of European Researchers’ Night (ERN), celebrated last Friday, September 26.
Spread across three venues—the National Museum of Natural History and Science (MUHNAC), the Pavilion of Knowledge, and the Marina de Oeiras —thousands of visitors enjoyed more than two dozen scientific activities organised by research units affiliated with Instituto Superior Técnico, which included games, experiments, demonstrations, and direct dialogue between researchers and the public.
One of the activities at MUHNAC involved exploring research on cancer cells in three-dimensional structures. “We aim to create models outside the body that allow us to test drugs and define therapeutic regimens tailored to each patient, reducing side effects”, explained Nuno Bernardes, a researcher at the Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB).
In the cloister, air quality was the topic of discussion – Identifying pollutants from different means of transport and measuring oxygen levels during sleep – as well as the importance of its environmental impact. “We want to reduce schools’ carbon footprint through changed sustainability education, thus raising awareness for more responsible habits”, emphasised Tiago Faria, a researcher at the Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares (C2TN).
“It’s a different kind of night, where they’re not glued to screens”
Inside the Pavilion of Knowledge, queues of curious visitors waited for their turn to drive a remote-controlled hydrogen car. Earlier, they could learn about the stages of the process: the production of hydrogen by electrolysis of water, its storage in metal hydrate cartridges, and finally, its application in the vehicle. “It’s always a remarkable moment to see the surprise of the children when driving the car and the parents when they realise that this is already a reality”, said Diogo Santos, a researcher at the Center of Physics and Engineering of Advanced Materials (CeFEMA).
All around, biomaterials attracted the attention of the younger visitors, who associated compounds with everyday foods—from potato starch to proteins used in bone prostheses. Diana Silva, a researcher at the Centro de Química Estrutural (CQE), highlighted the purpose of this interaction: “We want to show how these materials are created and emphasise that years of research can lie behind a clinical application”.
Nearby, the activity “Chemistry that saves lives” challenged young and old to understand how materials science can be applied to the creation of artificial organs. The experiment invited participants to recreate “membranes” used in medical treatments such as hemodialysis and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). “There is an impact in direct contact with people, in what we share among colleagues, and in the openness to future collaborations”, said Mónica Faria, a researcher at CeFEMA. “At the end of the night, we will be tired, but with a strong sense of accomplishment.”
This activity inspired Mariza Padilha to stay, after being encouraged by her nine-year-old daughter. Smiling as she watched her child’s curiosity, she emphasised, “It’s a different kind of night, where they’re not glued to screens. They experience other realities involving science. Rather than just hearing about it, here they can experiment and understand—and that’s great.”
“It’s amazing to realise how much we can learn and to understand the scale of the research being conducted in Portugal”
The Marina de Oeiras also became a “scientific discovery zone”, welcoming families of all ages interested in hands-on experiences. The construction of small electronic rockets—led by Afonso Gonçalves, a Técnico student—attracted a lot of attention. “The children keep coming. We’ve already made dozens of rockets, and it’s always rewarding to see them leave with something they’ve made themselves”, he shared.
Sara Mendes, a Técnico alumna, brought her children to the event and found the experience enriching. “Building the rocket was their favorite activity. They learnt and had fun at the same time—it was worth the visit”, she said. Joana Cerdeira also wanted to provide her 11-year-old son with this experience: “He has been fascinated by science since he started taking the subject at school. Here he can experiment in practice, and that makes all the difference.”
Inês Sardinha, from the Oeiras Experimenta project, presented activities related to sustainable agriculture – demonstrating crops that are more resistant to drought, such as sorghum and chickpeas, and inviting visitors to try recipes made from these ingredients.
Back at MUHNAC, members of the Centre for Management Studies of Instituto Superior Técnico (GEGIST) turned waste management into a board game. Visitors walked along a carpet that simulated city streets, which allowed them to learn how smart collection can become more efficient. João Vieira, who was participating in the initiative for the first time, admitted that the experience exceeded his expectations and said he would return in future editions. Ana Miranda, who came with her daughter, also described her family’s enthusiasm: “She wants to stop at every activity. It’s amazing to realise how much we can learn and to understand the scale of the research being conducted in Portugal”
Mathematics, often seen as abstract, also became tangible. Two strings represented rational numbers, and visitors were challenged to explore different forms of calculation. “Mathematics is more than just numbers, it has multiple applications in real life”, commented Isa Marcelino, an undergraduate student of Applied Mathematics and Computation at Técnico, who had already attended the Técnico Open Day, also highlighting the importance of “initiatives that spark curiosity in early ages”.
In the same room, members of the Center for Astrophysics and Gravitation (CENTRA) spun an illuminated globe to explain the seasons and the moon phases. Between questions and observations, visitors understood how Earth’s tilt influences the length of the day and the intensity of sunlight.
“We don’t want science to be just for a niche audience”, said Alexandra Franco, science communicator at the Institute for Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion (IPFN), when asked about the importance of scientific dissemination. “Increasing scientific literacy is part of our mission as a community”.
“Learning how to explain science to different audiences is an interesting exercise. Communication is often even simpler and more fun with children,” said João Senra, a doctoral student at the Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente (CERENA). As the lights went out, echoes of questions, laughter, and discoveries lingered in the air—a reminder that, for one night, science was present not only in laboratories but also in the experiences shared by the public.
List of research units affiliated with Técnico that participated in this edition of NEI, in Lisbon:
- Centre for Mathematical Analysis, Geometry, and Dynamical Systems (CAMGSD)
- Center for Astrophysics and Gravitation (CENTRA)
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares (C2TN)
- Centre for Management Studies of Instituto Superior Técnico (CEGIST)
- Center of Physics and Engineering of Advanced Materials (CeFEMA)
- Centro de Química Estrutural (CQE)
- Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente (CERENA)
- Centre for Innovation in Territory, Urbanism and Architecture (CiTUA)
- Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB)
- Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores – Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Lisboa (INESC-ID)
- Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores – Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC-MN)
- Mechanical Engineering Institute (IdMEC)
- Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability (CERIS)
- Institute for Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion (IPFN)
- Institute for Systems and Robotics (ISR-Lisboa)
- Water Laboratory at Instituto Superior Técnico (LAIST)
