Scientists Who Inspire Through Science and Reading

The impact of the Same Home Town programme and the partnership with the Plano Nacional de Leitura in Portuguese schools.

In the 2024/2025 school year, one hundred scientists returned to their former primary schools to share science with Year 4 pupils. But they didn’t come empty-handed: alongside leading hands-on science workshops, they recommended books that had marked their own lives. In total, 41 different books were suggested, 68% of which are part of the Plano Nacional de Leitura (PNL) – a clear sign of the strong connection between promoting science and literacy among younger generations.

This initiative is part of the Same Home Town programme, developed by Native Scientists in collaboration with the PNL. This partnership highlights the shared goals of promoting scientific literacy, access to higher education, social cohesion, and active citizenship in Portugal by bringing scientists back to the communities where they grew up.

Speaking about the collaboration, Joana Moscoso, Director of Native Scientists, explains: “We believe that science and reading go hand in hand. The enthusiastic response from scientists to this initiative with PNL proves just that. We’re walking together towards a fairer and more inclusive science education.”

Regina Duarte, Commissioner of the Plano Nacional de Leitura, adds: “This partnership brings the worlds of science and literature closer together. It aims to foster critical thinking, curiosity and a love of reading, while also challenging the stereotype that separates science from imagination or literature from logic. Through initiatives like The Scientist Returns to School, scientists share not only their academic and professional journeys, but also the books that shaped their childhoods – building emotional and cultural bridges that reinforce the role of reading in cultural and civic development. This partnership promotes equitable access to knowledge and inspires new generations to see science as a space for discovery and creativity.”

Since the beginning of this partnership in the 2022/2023 school year, an average of 55% of scientists – around 100 each year – have linked science and reading by recommending books, nurturing a love of reading in over 3,500 children. In Rabo de Peixe, scientist Antónia Estrela went even further, collecting over 600 books to create a new library at her former primary school – a legacy that goes well beyond the workshop experience.

Books recommended by scientists that are part of the Plano Nacional de Leitura:

"The Science of Things (A Ciência das Coisas)", "The Forest (A Floresta)", "The Girl from the Sea (A Menina do Mar)", "On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin (A Origem das Espécies de Charles Darwin)", "The Door of Time (A Porta do Tempo)", "Life on Earth (A Vida na Terra)", "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Alice no País das Maravilhas)", "Anita Lost Her Dog (Anita Perdeu o Cão)", "The Chronicles of Narnia (As Crónicas de Nárnia)", "The Twins (As Gémeas)", "Welcome to Cerebropolis (Bem-vindos a Cerebropolis)", "Charles Darwin", "Incredible Science – Tricks: 50 Unforgettable Feats (Ciência Incrível - Truques: 50 Proezas Inesquecíveis)", "Encyclopaedia of Knowledge: Science (Enciclopédia do Conhecimento: Ciência)", "Look into Science (Espreita a Ciência)", "The Kon-Tiki Expedition (Expedição da Kon TIKI)", "Frankenstein", "Frederico and the Wonderful Plant (Frederico e a Planta Maravilhosa)", "Little People, Big Dreams: Albert Einstein (Gente Pequena, Grandes Sonhos: Albert Einstein)", "Geo-Detectives: Volcanoes and Earthquakes (Geodetetives: Vulcões e Terramotos)", "Harry Potter", "Fearless John (João Sem Medo)", "Jane Goodall", "Marie Curie", "Marta Yustos", "The Knight of Denmark (O Cavaleiro da Dinamarca)", "The Four Towers School (O Colégio das Quatro Torres)", "The Brain Isn’t Always Right (O Cérebro Não Tem Sempre Razão)", "The Number Devil (O Diabo dos Números)", "Alice’s Book (O Livro de Alice)", "The Brain Book (O Livro do Cérebro)", "The Little Prince (O Principezinho)", "The Roman Soldier (O Soldado Romano)", "The Famous Five (Os Cinco)", "The Secret Seven (Os Sete)", "Little Books about Great People 7: Marie Curie (Pequenos Livros sobre Grandes Pessoas 7: Marie Curie)", "Little Books about Great People 8: Stephen Hawking (Pequenos Livros sobre Grandes Pessoas 8: Stephen Hawking)", "What’s Under the Bed? (Que Há por Baixo da Cama?)", "Simply Science – Space (Simplesmente Ciência - Espaço)", "Treasures from the Deep Sea (Tesouros do Fundo do Mar)", "An Adventure (Uma Aventura)".

This wide range of books shows that reading and science go hand in hand in building informed, curious and engaged citizens.