Throughout this school year, Técnico will be answering children's questions on a wide range of scientific topics, including satellite construction, nanotechnology, radiation, the water cycle and sustainability, trains, the Universe, and the connection between music and mathematics. The event series "Explain it to me like I'm 5 – Conversations about Science at Técnico for children and curious adults" will return to the Main Hall of Técnico’s Alameda campus, where it will welcome preschool and primary school students.

This edition kicks off on October 8 with the session “How does a satellite work?” led by João Paulo Monteiro (ISR-Lisboa).

"Every month, we’re going to fill the Main Hall of Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon with curious children," says Joana Lobo Antunes, Deputy Director for Communication, Image, and Marketing at Técnico.

The program began during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, with “a fully online first season consisting of 21 episodes between May 23, 2020, and July 24, 2021, aimed at families on Saturday mornings,” followed by “a short series of live episodes, also streamed online, with four episodes between November 6, 2021, and November 11, 2023,” she explains.

The format remains the same – “we start with a curious question, which a Técnico researcher will answer during the first half hour of the session. That is followed by a Q&A session – which, in our experience, is always very lively and engaging,” emphasizes Joana Lobo Antunes.

Individual and school registrations are open until September 30 and must be submitted via the form available on Técnico's website. Teachers interested in registering their classes should select their top three preferred sessions and wait for the “Explain it to me like I'm 5” team to get in touch. The sessions will be recorded and later shared with all those interested. There will also be an online session where children can ask scientists their questions.

Técnico aims to continue fostering the connection between science and children, particularly between scientists and children, says the professor and researcher. “Science communication activities aimed at this audience have been very well received by children […]; they’re fascinated by science and want to learn more,” she concludes.

Source: Técnico