Same Migrant Community expands reach three new countries

Workshops in Portuguese strengthen cultural identity and scientific inclusion in Austria, Spain and Luxembourg

Continuing its mission to promote equity and inclusion in access to science, Native Scientist has expanded the Same Migrant Community (SMC) programme to three new countries. For the first time, Portuguese-speaking migrant children in Austria, Spain and Luxemburg took part in workshops conducted in their home-language.  They had the opportunity to immerse themselves in science activities led by scientists sharing academic knowledge and the participants’ heritage language and culture.

The sessions followed an interactive format called “Science Tapas”, which allows children to explore various areas of knowledge through different stations, each offering a unique experience. Topics such as DNA structure, artificial intelligence, microbiology, and other branches of the natural sciences were presented by Portuguese-speaking scientists living in these countries.

SMC workshops also welcome the active presence of parents and guardians, strengthening a sense of community and demonstrating that scientific knowledge can and should be inclusive and accessible to all.

The journey across the three new countries began in Pamplona, Spain, on 16 December 2024, with two workshops held at Jesuitinas and Esclavas del Sagrado Corazón schools. These sessions were coordinated by Sofia Teixeira from Native Scientists, funded by the Instituto Camões, and promoted by Professor Daniela Teles, engaging around 50 Year 5 and Year 6 children enrolled in the Portuguese language and culture programme.

For Sofia, coordinator of the workshop: “It was exciting to see the children’s enthusiasm as they discovered the world of science-many of them meeting a scientist for the first time. That connection to their cultural identity made it all the more special, and that’s what we aim to bring to many other places.”

In Luxembourg, with four workshops delivered on three different dates: in Esch-sur-Alzette one on the 2nd of April and two on the 17th of May; and one in Ettelbruck on 14 June. Reinforcing the importance of heritage languages in both educational and scientific contexts, the workshops were coordinated by António Figueiredo from Native Scientists, and funded by the Instituto Camões, with local promotion by Professor Susana Mota.

“It was magical to see their eyes light up as they discovered something new,” Inês recalls. In a small country like Luxembourg, where around 15% of the population is of Portuguese origin and the language is part of daily life, the initiative highlights the ongoing need to create spaces that value science in heritage languages.

Bringing the programme to a close, Austria held its first workshop on 5 June in Vienna. The initiative was funded by The Society for Experimental Biology and coordinated by Andreia Rocha from Native Scientists and teacher Daniella Ringhofer. According to Andreia, the workshop was a success and received very positive feedback from the children. “There are many interested scientists, and I believe the children’s contact with their diverse fields can be incredibly enriching. I hope we can deliver more workshops in the future,” she says.

Through these activities, the SMC programme reaffirms its commitment to building bridges between science, culture, and identity. By promoting science education in heritage languages, Native Scientists has positively impacted the lives of migrant children across Europe for over 10 years. A remarkable achievement that ensures more and more children have access to science workshops.