A Reflection on Native Scientists and Philanthropy
Paulo Marques gives insights into the past five years of his support to Native.
An organisation's efforts are only as strong as its supporters, and Paulo Marques is an example of what that support can look like. This is the story of a scientist who never forgot where he came from, and who believes that giving back is about far more than money.
Paulo has stood alongside Native Scientists in many ways: as a volunteer scientist, a philanthropic partner and as an advisor. Since 2020, more than 40 years after sitting in a classroom at his primary school in Valdonas, Tomar, Paulo has returned every year to share the wonders of science with the new generation of children.
But his commitment reaches well beyond that classroom, where he first realised he wanted to dedicate his life to science, as his philanthropic support has helped Native reach over 1,350 children.
In celebration of this 5-year partnership, we talked about what drew him to Native Scientists and his thoughts on the need for philanthropic support in the world of non-profits and solidarity causes.
Why did you choose and keep choosing to support Native Scientists?
I believe that science is one of the best achievements of humanity. It allows us to understand the world in a rational way, explore the reasons why things are the way they are and enact positive change. The main mission of Native is to make sure that no child grows up without having met a scientist or conducted a scientific experiment. And this resonates immensely with me. I think that giving all children the chance to experience the wonders of science and see it as a way to make a difference can be transformative for our society.
You've volunteered as a scientist yourself. What draws you back each time?
I was raised in a somewhat poor village in the center of Portugal. Back in the ’80s, it was almost inconceivable that someone could become a scientist or have a worldwide impact given the overall background of the country. Now, I try to show the children that anything is possible, and science can be a gateway to becoming an agent of change. It’s an amazing experience to interact with them and see their eyes wide open when they are doing experiments or, for example, when we are talking about space and its exploration. The love that I receive from them and from the overall experience is immense.
What activities have you run in your workshops?
One of the parts of my career that I’ve loved most was the time I worked for the European Space Agency. I think space is something that always captivates the imagination of kids and adults alike. So, most of the activities I’ve promoted are connected to space. I had them build robots, inspired by the Mars rovers. We have explored the nature of light by building electronics that allow them to mix and unmix different colors and understand how we can know what the stars are made of. But the activity that excited them the most was exploring how lenses work, where in the process they built their own telescopes to take home. At my school, I run the same workshop for all the students, from Year 1 to Year 4. In fact, I pair Year 1 and Year 4 children together, as well as Year 2 and Year 3 children. So, these kids see me every year, from when they start first grade until they graduate from fourth grade. I want them to have a unique experience every time, covering different aspects of science. And to do so I change the activities every year!
What has been the most rewarding part of being a Native Scientist?
Two things have been especially rewarding: helping Native Scientists reach so many children, and bringing science and my own story back to my primary school. It makes me extremely happy to help take science to so many children and influence their lives in a positive way. It brings meaning to my life.
How has Native changed since you first joined?
Native Scientists have become much more organized and professional since I first became involved. As the number of schools, children and scientists grew, the organization had to evolve from an initiative driven largely by volunteers into a mature organization capable of operating at a much greater scale. Today, it reaches more than 200 schools and 6,500 children, supported by a dedicated team and hundreds of volunteers. What I value most is that, despite this growth, it remains united around the same mission: bringing science and scientists into primary schools.
Where do you see Native Scientists in the next five years, and what are your hopes for its future?
I have one main wish: that Native Scientists continues to deliver on its mission of ensuring that no child leaves primary school without having met a scientist or conducted a scientific experiment. I hope it can reach many more schools and children over the next five years, while preserving the personal connection that makes its work so powerful. And perhaps, one day, some of the children taking part today will return to their own schools as scientists and inspire the next generation.
What would you say to other potential supporters who are considering getting involved with Native Scientists?
Philanthropy is not just about donating money. It’s about giving back to society with our time, skills, and resources. Going back to my primary school is probably one of the most impactful things I do in the scope of Native Scientists. If you share the vision that science and technology are transformative tools, there is no better way to have an impact than to start with young students. Native’s core objective is aligned with this. You can help make a significant impact by working with Native Scientists.
Does philanthropy matter for projects like Native Scientists?
A philanthropist is someone who tries to improve the welfare of others and society by contributing their time, money or resources. I think we all have a responsibility to give back and help those around us, be it with time, skills, or funding. So, even if other sources of funding fully supported the programme, philanthropists would still be essential. The more we all contribute the better the world will be, especially for people from underserved backgrounds.
Paulo’s story and words show us that support can take many different forms. In the past five years, he gave his time, skills and resources with the strong conviction that every child deserves to feel like science is for them. We are deeply grateful for his support and look forward to many more years of partnership. If Paulo's story has inspired you, we would love to hear from you. Only together can we make science a possibility for children.
The original interview has been edited for length and clarity.
About Paulo Marques
Paulo Marques is a Scientific Director of the CMU Portugal programme, an early-stage investor in several technology companies, and a Co-founder and Technical Fellow at Feedzai, an artificial intelligence-powered financial crime prevention platform that helps banks, financial institutions, and merchants detect and block fraud in real time. He is also one of the founding partners of TUMO Portugal, a free, extracurricular educational programme for teenagers aged 12 to 18 focused on creative technologies and digital skills.
