Schools & Society

GreenUPorto was present at another edition of the FCUP Open Days – 2024 Edition, opening its doors to schools and the wider society.

Last week, from the 8th to the 9th of February, our researchers and research fellows developed and presented examples of our daily laboratory activities and ongoing R&D projects to students, teachers and parents from all across the country.

Several of our researchers were present to help carry out experiments and answer all the questions posed by students, hoping to spark their interest in a university, researcher and/or professional path in Agricultural Sciences.

Last Monday (November 2oth), we had the 1st edition of GreenUPorto Open Lab, an initiative that opened the doors of our laboratories and greenhouses to the community so they could learn about and experience our scientists’ daily research activities.

«GreenUPorto Open Lab» consists of a series of activities open to the public, particularly youngsters and students, with the goal of having people visiting our laboratories and interacting directly with our researchers and activities in Sustainable Agrifood Production.

At GreenUPorto, scientists work daily in three main lines of research that cover the life of plants “from soil to plate”: Environmental Biology (including Environmental Risk Assessment and Soil Science), Agronomy/Plant Science (including Plant Biology, Production and Post-harvest), and Food Science. From each of these lines, visitors were presented with some of the main daily activities and research objectives through real examples from our scientists who, every day, break the barriers of knowledge in Agricultural Sciences.

In each activity, visitors were able to experience and obtain answers to the following questions:

1. What does an environmental risk assessment scientist do and, in particular, a soil microbiologist?
2. What does a plant scientist do and, in particular, a researcher into the fungi that plague our fruits and vegetables?
3. What does a food scientist do, and in particular, a researcher who works with edible insects?

The very engaged and interested participants had the opportunity to conduct research experiments and learn about:

• Environmental / Soil Science, including its macro and microbiology and a contribution to the renovation of our famous Agro-Green Wall;
• Agro / Plant Science, including their main diseases and topics related to Plant Biology, Production, and Post-Harvesting;
• Food Science, namely seeing and experimenting with sustainable protein eating alternatives and simulating consumer tests, with a competition full of interesting smells and flavors!

You can check the full program here.

The initiative took place at campus de Vairão, in the scope of Ciência Viva‘s Science and Technology Week 2023.

Feel sorry to have missed the 1st Edition of GreenUPorto Open Lab?
Just ask us so we can plan a new edition of GreenUPorto Open Lab in collaboration with your local school or general public!

Feel free to contact us anytime via greenuporto@fc.up.pt!

During December 2021, GreenUPorto organized a solidarity campaign to collect food, clothing, footwear, toys and hygiene products, for the benefit of local families in need.

The collection proved to be a success and the donation was made on December 17th to the social institution São Vicente de Paulo (Vairão), which has a very important role in helping families with difficulties in the Vairão area.

In addition to the goals of excellence in scientific research within the areas of its competence, GreenUPorto also aims to contribute positively to a better society.