20-04-2023
The School opened its doors once again to welcome over 8,000 visitors to the 15th edition of EXPO FCT NOVA. With over 200 activities, this was the largest edition of the event for high school students, held since 2017.
Students from 12 districts from north to south of the country participated in the fair, which aims to promote interest in the areas of Science and Engineering and to present the educational offerings and campus life at the NOVA School of Science and Technology | FCT NOVA.
"This year was fantastic in terms of participation. Before the pandemic, we had about 7,000 students, and this year we surpassed 8,000," said Rui Igreja, Coordinator of EXPO FCT NOVA.
"I really enjoyed the activities, and everyone was very welcoming and friendly. The activities clarified for me and gave me a vision of what I can pursue and do with the course. I would like to come to FCT NOVA if my grades allow it," said Leonor Santos, an 11th-grade student at Lourinhã Secondary School.
Filipe Lopes, who attends 12th grade at Rainha D. Leonor Secondary School in Lisbon, also recounted his day: "We were walking around seeing all the buildings, all the experiences. We also passed by these university people who were singing here, the atmosphere is very nice. I still don't know what area I want to pursue, but something related to Chemistry, and I found the activities here very fun and we also talked about some career paths, where it can be applied. FCT NOVA is one of the places where I consider studying, it is a good place to study."
More than 600 volunteers welcomed students and teachers in an organization that involved the Departments, Research Centers, Student Association, and AEFCT Nuclei in the various scientific, technological, pedagogical, and recreational aspects that reflect the multidisciplinarity of the School.
Miguel Anis is in the 11th grade at Braamcamp Freire Secondary School in Odivelas and says he visited several activities and even had some surprises. "It was all extremely fun. I think the area of Biochemistry is very interesting, Informatics even more so, but I didn't know I would like Biochemistry."
The Great Auditorium of the Faculty was filled with students to attend and participate in the novelty of this edition, the EXPOtáculo. This activity featured a lecture, where Octávio Mateus, a professor in the Department of Earth Sciences, presented curiosities about dinosaurs, and a surprising interactive game, organized by the NOVO Núcleo de Teatro (Student Theater Group) with the special participation of João Sotomayor, a professor in the Department of Chemistry, where prizes were awarded to students.
"The EXPO FCT NOVA is a major event for our school, in which we attract young people to come and study with us. But it is also a public service by exciting young people with Science, Engineering, and Technology, attracting them to dedicate themselves to these areas that are so necessary for society. We have fulfilled all these objectives," said José Júlio Alferes, Director of FCT NOVA.
