Brazilian Ministry of Science Advances Initiatives to Engage Families and Inspire Youth Researchers

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) of Brazil is driving significant science popularization efforts in 2025-2026 that actively engage families and encourage young students to pursue scientific research and competitions.

These initiatives have positively impacted education nationwide, reaching over 26 million people in 2025. Central to their approach is fostering family involvement, recognizing that support from parents and relatives is crucial for cultivating a new generation of scientists. Juana Nunes, director of MCTI’s Department of Popularization of Science, highlights the reciprocal learning relationship between youth and families, which strengthens scientific understanding.

An inspiring example is 16-year-old Maria Luiza Miranda Pereira, whose family’s encouragement helped her excel in various competitions. Starting in 2020, Maria Luiza won accolades including second place at a district science circuit and a gold medal at the 2025 Brazilian Technology Olympiad. Her success earned invitations to advanced technology programs both domestically and abroad.

Key MCTI initiatives include the National Week of Science and Technology (SNCT), which draws in communities through free lectures, workshops, and exhibitions on timely scientific themes. The "Caça Asteroides" program invites students to collaborate with NASA by analyzing telescope images for asteroid discoveries. Additionally, MCTI supports numerous science fairs, olympiads, and interactive museum experiences that promote scientific inquiry and education.

These efforts underline Brazil's commitment to science education by bridging generations through shared knowledge and opportunity.