Native Scientists wins Ciência Viva Education award

The Ciência Viva Awards celebrate outstanding contributions to scientific and technological outreach in Portugal.

The Ciência Viva Awards Ceremony took place at the Pavilhão do Conhecimento in Lisbon on November 24th. This year, Native Scientists received the Ciência Viva Education Award, which recognizes an individual or project implemented  in Portugal in the education sector.

Rosalia Vargas, president of Ciência Viva, explained the what made Native stand out among so many candidates:

"Native Scientists does a job that is highly valued, which is contact with young people. There are young students whose only contact with science is at school. Once they leave school, they lose that direct contact. Therefore, that's where everything needs to be done and Native Scientists does that better than anyone. Ciência Viva and Native are like siblings in this shared goal: showing that science is for everyone. Native is to be congratulated, and we love working in partnership with them."

The award ceremony took place during the Science and Technology Week, from November 18 to 24, at the Pavilhão do Conhecimento in Lisbon. This annual event includes the Portuguese National Day of Scientific Culture, celebrated on November 24 in honor of Rómulo de Carvalho – a teacher, poet, and science communicator – who was born on this date. Established in 1996, the National Day of Scientific Culture gave rise, the following year, to the Science and Technology Week, reinforcing the commitment to scientific outreach in Portugal.

On November 24, the Native Scientists team took the stage to receive this prestigious award in the presence of Ciência Viva's president, Rosalia Vargas, and institutional partners such as the FLAD - Fundação Luso-Americana para o Desenvolvimento, the Direção-Geral da Educação, the Plano Nacional de Leitura, and the Fundação "la Caixa". 

Native Scientists’ team Photo by: Ciência Viva

During the ceremony, Native Scientists co-founder, Joana Moscoso, said: "After 11 years of work, initially in the United Kingdom and, for the past three years, with direct impact in Portugal and the Portuguese diaspora, receiving this prestigious award is a great honour for me and for the Native Scientists team. This recognition is a tribute not only to our mission of reducing inequalities and promoting scientific literacy and culture but also to the hard work and passion that drive us. The award validates our efforts and the trust that scientists, families, teachers, local authorities, sponsors, business leaders, research institutions, and foundations have placed in us. Thank you to everyone, especially those here with us today – family members, scientists, current and former Native members, collaborators, and partners.

The evening also saw the intervention of  the co-founder of the Same Hometown programme, Joana Bordalo. "I want to reiterate our gratitude, especially to the people behind the entities that have supported us from day one, even before we launched the program nationwide. It is an honor to work with Joana Moscoso, who is an inspiration every day. Thank you to everyone who has been, is, or will be part of Native Scientists."

Joana Moscoso speech. Photo by: Catarina Vozone

Joana Bordalo, co-founder of the SHT programme (left), and Joana Moscoso, co-founder of Native Scientists, with the award (right). Photo by: Catarina Vozone

The Ciência Viva Awards highlight those who bring science closer to everyday life, creating stronger connections between the scientific community and the general public. This recognition of Native Scientists in 2024 underscores the value of inclusive and accessible science education in Portugal, fostering a culture where science is valued and celebrated.

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.