Science, equity and education in debate

An initiative that brought together scientists, educators and policymakers.

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, in Lisbon, hosted on 18 June the event Ponto de Interrogação: Encontro de Promotores e Promotoras de Literacia Científica (question mark: meeting with science literacy promoters). The initiative, organised by Native Scientists, was focused on the role of science and equity in education. The gathering brought together  scientists, teachers, science communicators, institutions, foundations and policymakers to discuss how to ensure that access to scientific knowledge reaches all children, regardless of their background.

The afternoon was a space for reflection, sharing and action on the future of scientific literacy in Portugal, centred on the idea that educational transformation always begins with a question and with the courage to ask it.

The event was built around the idea that the question mark is more than a punctuation symbol: it is a critical attitude towards the unknown as well as an invitation to curiosity and imagination. It is also a physical space,  where questioning opens doors to progress and equity. Ponto de Interrogação became a meeting point for those who believe that access to science, quality education and broader opportunities is a collective endeavour and essential to social development.

Education and equity in debate

The plenary session, led by Rui Marques (Relational Lab), invited participants to reflect on education and equity in accessing scientific knowledge underscoring that schools play a central role in building opportunities.

The panel "Making Science a Possibility for Children" brought together Tiago Alves (Imperial College London), Antónia Estrela (Universidade NOVA de Lisboa and Politécnico de Lisboa), Maria Fernanda Matos (Agrupamento de Escolas Laranjeiras) and Simão Morim, a student at Escola Básica de Cadilhe. The conversation highlighted how scientific curiosity emerges early in life and how schools, families and scientists can create real conditions for all children to have access to knowledge. 

The presence of a student on the panel offered a direct perspective on the impact that scientific opportunities have on everyday school life, reinforcing the idea that science only becomes a genuine possibility when it is close at hand, accessible and human. 

Partnerships to transform education

The roundtable "The role of partnerships for a fairer and more inclusive education", moderated by José Maria Pimentel (podcast 45 Graus), brought together Tiago Pereira (Fundação Mendes Gonçalves), Carla Sepúlveda (former Deputy Mayor for Education of Braga), Afonso Arnaldo (Deloitte) and Paulo Marques (philanthropist). The discussion highlighted that educational transformation requires cross-sector collaboration, sustained investment and a shared vision of the social impact of science.

Participants converged on the idea that no single institution can guarantee educational equity on its own, reinforcing the need for regular gatherings that promote dialogue, evaluation and joint action.

BIP/ZIP Awards recognise locally impactful initiatives

The event also included the presentation of the Programme Bairros e Zonas de Intervenção Prioritária da Câmara Municipal de Lisboa (BIP/ZIP) Awards, with contributions from Camila Moura (Native Scientists), Ricardo Santiago (Município de Lisboa) and Ana Paula Monteiro (Agrupamento de Escolas Laranjeiras). Children were encouraged to explore what it means to be a scientist by creating both drawings and short sentences. At the end of the school year, the pieces that stand out for their originality and creativity, both sentences and illustrations, are shortlisted. The Native Scientists team, together with its collaborators and invited jury members, then reviews the finalists and votes for their favourites. 

This year’s winners were Joana, who received the prize for Best Sentence, and Mariana, awarded Best Drawing. Both students stood out for the clarity, imagination and sensitivity of their work. Joana and Mariana were each awarded a Ciência Viva circuit and a book, Outside, a beautifully illustrated nature book published by Planeta Tangerina. We warmly thank Ciência Viva for supporting this initiative.

A collective commitment to scientific equity

The first edition of Ponto de Interrogação made clear that there is both the will and the urgency to create spaces where the educational and scientific community can think together about the future of scientific literacy. Participants and speakers highlighted that sustained reflection is essential to addressing structural inequalities and ensuring that all children have access to the transformative power of science.