Ciência Aberta Event Draws 30,000 Participants, Cementing CNPEM's Role in Brazilian Science Outreach
The Ciência Aberta event organized by CNPEM attracted 30,000 participants with extensive educational activities, reinforcing Brazil's commitment to science outreach and innovation.
- • The CNPEM Ciência Aberta event attracted approximately 30,000 participants over two days.
- • 284 school caravans from 10 Brazilian states and the Federal District participated, with tickets sold out quickly.
- • Participants engaged in 100 interactive activities and donated 5.1 tons of food to charity.
- • Event topics included AI in education, quantum technologies, scientific communication, and biodiversity.
- • CNPEM remains a leading multidisciplinary research center in Brazil with facilities like Sirius and the upcoming Orion complex.
Key details
The Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM) hosted the Ciência Aberta event on May 29-30, 2026, attracting around 30,000 attendees including students, teachers, families, and researchers from across Brazil. The event, held in Campinas, São Paulo, featured 284 school caravans from 10 Brazilian states and the Federal District, showcasing its national reach and significance in science education and outreach.
Tickets for school groups were fully booked within 24 hours of opening in March, with São Paulo leading participation with 252 caravans, followed by Minas Gerais with 21. Notably, even a Paraguayan school attended, reflecting international interest. The municipalities with the highest participation were Campinas, São Paulo, and Hortolândia.
Attendees engaged in approximately 100 interactive activities, including practical laboratory sessions, and discussions on cutting-edge topics such as artificial intelligence in education, quantum technologies, biodiversity, and scientific communication. The event also had a charitable component with 5.1 tons of food donated and 1,200 plant seedlings distributed.
CNPEM’s director-general, Antonio José Roque da Silva, emphasized the importance of recognizing and valuing science within society, stating that Ciência Aberta is both a celebration of the center's achievements and a collective commitment to Brazil's scientific advancement.
CNPEM operates under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, focusing on multidisciplinary research areas such as health, energy, and sustainability. The center is renowned for its Sirius synchrotron light source and is developing the upcoming Orion laboratory complex, both instrumental in advancing Brazilian science and technology.
The event’s success in drawing vast participation and fostering educational engagement highlights a growing enthusiasm among Brazil’s youth for science, technology, and innovation, bridging the gap between cutting-edge research infrastructure and the public.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
