Thirteen editions of the Same Migrant Community Programme

This year, the  Same Migrant Community  (SMC) programme will continue on the mission to bring science closer to children in their heritage language, inspiring future generations.

On November 22nd, the 13th edition of the programme took off with three workshops for the Portuguese-speaking community in the UK.

The SMC connects children and scientists by offering science workshops delivered in their shared heritage language. The programme’s main goal is to expand children’s horizons, support language development, and encourage scientific literacy and aspirations for higher education. In the 2024/2025 school year alone, the SMC programme reached over 900 children in 10 countries, involving more than 200 scientists. For half of these children, it was the first time they had ever met a scientist in person, a milestone that reinforces the importance of continuing the programme.

The Cambridge workshop was held at St Bede’s Inter-Church School for 25 children aged 7 to 15 years old, and saw creative and engaging sessions, with activities such as using modelling clay to build animal cells, and sugars, hula hoops, and sandbags to explain blood types and donor compatibility. Other activities involved demonstrations on fungi and bacteria, vaccines, and the use of equipment to explore our human body.

In Jersey, two workshops took place at D’Auverne Primary School, with 17 and 26 children, covering a broad range of topics. The scientists explained how viruses and bacteria make us ill, how they live, and why they are difficult to eliminate. Students even had a chance to learn about planets, moons, and the mysteries of the solar system and our galaxy.

The workshops were organised in collaboration with Instituto Camões, which promotes the Portuguese language and culture globally. The three workshops were designed to bring Portuguese-speaking scientists together with local students from the Portuguese-speaking community.

Science as a tool for inclusion 

The SMC programme is one of Native Scientists’ flagship initiatives and is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to quality education and the reduction of inequalities.

“We want children to find role models in science with whom they can identify and from whom they can draw inspiration. When a scientist speaks the same language that a child speaks with their parents at home, they not only share knowledge and experience but also show that science speaks many languages and that path is possible,” highlights Joana Moscoso, Executive Director of Native Scientists.

Throughout the school year, more than 15 workshops are anticipated to take place across Europe. If you are interested in participating, send an email to info [at] nativescientists.org or apply here. 

About Native Scientists

Native Scientists is a pan-European non-profit organisation connecting underserved children and scientists. It exists to broaden children's horizons, promoting scientific literacy and reducing inequalities through science outreach educational programmes.

About Instituto Camões

Camões, I.P. aims to be a reference body in the coordination and articulation of the government's foreign policy in the areas of international cooperation, promotion of the Portuguese language and culture as areas that are increasingly seen by states as instruments for projecting their influence and defending their interests.