The science summer courses are run by the Leopoldo de Meis Network (RNEC) with support from Pioneer Science in Rio de Janeiro.
Pioneer Science's Support
Cursos experimentais de curta duração com vivência do método científico em laboratório para 475 alunos do ensino médio da rede pública em 2025
Capacitação de monitores e seleção de jovens talentos para iniciação científica em 5 projetos: Programa de Jovens Talentos do Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Projeto Surdos, Formulando Literacia Científica, Ciências sob Tendas e Projeto Ser Cientista.
"The course was of immense importance to my academic and personal development — it gave me incredible scientific and interpersonal experiences! It further inspired me to pursue a career in science, in a field I deeply identify with. The course helped me see that we must ask the right questions when experiments seem to be going wrong[...]"
"Here we have more room to make mistakes. We can run an experiment and repeat it many times, and it's not a teacher giving all the answers to everything you need to know — here you discover things for yourself. It's free and spontaneous: you do it and see your own results. They give us a lot of autonomy, so I'm definitely going to be a more confident person in the lab."
"I find the lessons here completely different from the ones at school. At school we learn from the board and copy into our notebooks, but we don't really understand how things work. The lab class is totally different — you understand what you're doing instead of just writing. The course not only makes me want to keep working in a lab and intern here at UFRJ, it also makes me want to bring my friends along, because it's such a fun, amazing experience."
"My school has a deactivated lab. I had never done experiments — this is a completely new experience. The difference is that here we run the experiments, see if they work, and if they don't, we do them again. The course teaches us to have questions, not just accept things without asking. The course creates questions, a desire to know more. Many people don't have the chance to be here, so those who do should grab it, just come and take advantage, because it's truly wonderful."
About RNEC
Created by Professor Leopoldo de Meis at UFRJ in 1985, the National Network for Education and Science (RNEC) seeks new paths toward efficient, dynamic, and engaging teaching. To this end, it develops methodologies that make learning easier, demystifying and popularizing science.
Today the project comprises around 40 groups linked to more than 23 teaching and research institutions across 11 Brazilian states. Its core activities include short experimental courses and internships.
Partner
The summer courses project is run by the Leopoldo de Meis National Network for Education and Science (RNEC) with support from Pioneer Science in Rio de Janeiro.