Instituto Superior Técnico hosts another edition of the ALPHA Program, an initiative by the TreeTree2 association offering advanced Science and Engineering training for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students.
Starting on 4 October, the program runs on Saturdays at the Alameda and Taguspark campi, providing young students the opportunity to experience a university environment while exploring Mathematics, Physics, Biology, and Computing.
What alpha offers
The program is structured in 3 quarters of 11 weeks each, with groups of only 6 students per instructor, ensuring personalized support. Most instructors are Técnico students and recent graduates from Técnico and other excellent Portuguese universities, carefully selected and trained by TreeTree2.
Participants explore science in depth, adapted to their age, using advanced materials. The program develops not only technical knowledge but also autonomy, time management, and collaborative work skills. Throughout the year, students have the opportunity to participate in special sessions with Técnico researchers and invited professors, offering an inspiring view of science in practice.
How it works
The curriculum, developed by TreeTree2, focuses on topic diversity and collaborative learning. Activities include analyzing scientific articles, conducting experiments, building models and numerical simulations, and discussing the history and ethics of science. The program develops both technical abilities and essential future skills: resilience, self-regulation, and effective communication.
The format is hybrid, alternating in-person sessions at Técnico with online sessions. Weekly, students have 1 hour of autonomous learning and a 2.5-hour collaborative session. Classes can be in Portuguese or English, according to participants’ preference.
Registration
Deadline: 21 September 2025
Start: 4 October 2025
Cost: €45/month (discounts available for students with social support)
Registration: programaalpha.org
Participate as an instructor
Técnico students and recent graduates interested in sharing their knowledge and passion for science with motivated middle school students can apply as program instructors. For more information about joining the alpha team, contact alpha@treetree2.org.
About TreeTree2
TreeTree2 is a nonprofit organization founded in 2017 by young scientists and engineers passionate about Science and Education. Besides alpha, it runs AfterSchool for 7th to 12th grade students and the Atlas Program for 8th to 12th grade. These projects share the mission of providing advanced STEM training, combining in-person sessions at IST with online learning.
