The Open Day at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (Ciências ULisboa) had only just begun when Sofia Moita confessed the dilemma that brought her to visit with her classmates from Daniel Sampaio Secondary School, in Charneca de Caparica. “I came here to clear up my doubts, but before coming I was afraid I’d end up with even more doubts. That’s why I’m going to follow the logic of eliminating options,” she recalls. “I like biomedicine, biology, physics, and other sciences. I could be happy in any of these scientific fields, but I know I’ll have to choose one at the expense of the others,” adds the young student. It is not yet known whether Sofia reached the end of the day with a decision made – but judging by the 2,800 students who came to Ciências ULisboa this Wednesday, it would not be surprising if more people had settled their doubts about the course they will choose for the applications that open in July.
Open Day: “I can be happy in all these scientific areas, but I will have to choose one”
Researchers, students and teachers created various laboratory activities to spark the curiosity of primary and secondary school visitors
“The 2026 Open Day was organised to showcase the various courses, departments and research centres at Ciências ULisboa. In this way, we are able to show the best of what our Faculty has to offer and also cater to different profiles and preferences, or even clear up doubts for students who want to enter higher education. Studying in the field of sciences requires brains, but choosing a course always comes from the heart,” describes Celma Padamo, head of the Communication and Image Unit at Ciências ULisboa.
At a Faculty distinguished by the near absence of walls, the Open Day went beyond the architectural aspect with an event that brings the spirit of free access to science into everyday life. For the big visit on Wednesday, which included students and more than 120 teachers from Years 8 to 12 from over 100 schools, 115 activities were set up across the various corners, rooms, and laboratories of the Ciências ULisboa campus. All so that each visitor could choose, according to their taste and availability, what can only truly be experienced in person.
The Open Day brought more than 2,800 students from 100 schools to Ciências ULisboa
“I was very surprised by what I saw in Biology. The people were incredible and the visit led me to consider choosing that course. The environment is pleasant and that also helps to understand what we can find in this Faculty,” says Alexandra Carrega, from Professor Reynaldo dos Santos Basic and Secondary School, in Vila Franca de Xira.
On the day when the visits take centre stage, it was possible to follow trails dedicated to undergraduate degrees, scientists, laboratories, innovation and freshers. Many of the activities included in these visit itineraries featured the active participation of the research centres present at Ciências Ulisboa.
An escape exercise that helps to get to know bacteriophages; prototypes for disease diagnosis using microwaves; the curious world of fish brains; the various attractions of the Physics in Action room; the tremors of the Seismology Laboratory; the extraction of oils from plants; the surprises reserved for those who observe rocks under the microscope; greetings from a robot; the challenges of forensic chemistry; or the calculations involved in optimisation – the entire academic community answered the call with representatives and volunteers from various departments when it came to taking part in this noble mission that can change the course of some lives. More than 300 students joined the so-called task force. Professors, scientists, laboratory technicians, and technical professionals from the most varied roles also joined the cause. And it was with this spirit of sharing that Alexandra Marçal, a lecturer from the Department of Biology, agreed to join the group of in-house scientists who made themselves available for four-minute meetings known as speed dating.
Conceição Freitas, dean of Ciências ULisboa, was also present at the Open Day
“During these meetings with students, I try to explain the importance of ecosystems in providing us with services we use every day, such as the oxygen we breathe, climate regulation, or food production. It’s something that helps these pupils understand the importance of ecosystems for human well-being,” says the Ciências ULisboa professor. “In these meetings, I usually start by asking about each student’s interests so I can see which direction to take with the topics. Then, I introduce myself and begin the explanations on the chosen subject. It’s always a conversation adapted to the age group and interests of the people in front of me,” she adds.
José Afonso, vice dean of Ciências ULisboa, with the various volunteers from the academic community who helped to prepare Wednesday’s event
If in speed dating everything happens in a maximum of four minutes, in the so-called degree trail the explanations last a little longer and include more detailed descriptions of the study plans for the different courses. In fact, in the 2026 edition, this trail had an added novelty: among the 17 degrees presented was the debut of the Degree in Data Science, which will begin in the next academic year of 2026/2027.
“It was a very motivating moment. We had students who didn’t know about the degree and who, by the end of the session, started to consider it a good option”
“It was a very motivating moment. We had students who were not aware of the degree and who, by the end of the session, started to consider it a good option. We had a full room throughout the session,” describes Cátia Pesquita, coordinator of the new Data Science Degree and lecturer in the Department of Informatics at Ciências ULisboa. “This generation (who are now in Secondary School) remains very interested in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science and are trying to find out more and more, with questions about working and studying in these areas. We tried to engage these students with examples of the potential these technologies have had in Banking, Health, Physics and Astronomy, or in social networks and marketing, among other areas,” she adds.
Of course, there is always the necessary alignment of expectations with reality. An Open Day also serves precisely that purpose. “The students who already have clear preferences want to come. And those who do not, also want to come,” assures Isabel Saraiva, Physics and Chemistry teacher at Alfredo dos Reis Silveira Secondary School, in the Seixal Municipality. “For many of these students, it is a good opportunity to see different areas of study and to understand better whether their grades will allow them to enter the course they want. We try to advise them to visit and try out the activities of the various departments, to see how they work,” the teacher also notes.
Carlos Cordeiro, professor at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, during one of the laboratory activities for secondary school students
The moment of truth arrives at the end of Year 12, but the moment of decision can even begin much earlier. “We have Year 12 students here, and we’ve also brought Year 11 students. Year 11 students still have some time to decide on their course and haven’t yet taken their exams. It makes sense to bring them to these events as well and help them start choosing the area they want to pursue. A few years ago, there wasn’t as much information and we didn’t go online to choose our course, but now we can bring students to these events so they can make a more informed choice,” explains Valter Carlos, a former Ciências ULisboa student and Mathematics teacher at the Institute of Educational Sciences, in the Odivelas municipality.
“It is very important that these secondary school students can see these things and can have contact with the students who are already at the Faculty”
In a gathering where strangers and different backgrounds abound, empathy makes the difference. And at this point, age has a role to play. “It’s very important that these Secondary students can see these things and have contact with students who are already at university, because sometimes they pay more attention to older peers than to what teachers say,” notes Valter Carlos, with a touch of good humour.
Both Mário Mateus da Costa and Carolina Pimentel belong, by full right, to the group of students who know Ciências ULisboa almost as a second home and therefore are more likely to be listened to by the younger ones. The former is president of the Student Association of the Faculty of Sciences of Lisbon (AEFCL).
Carolina Pimentel is in her first year of a PhD in Biology and is part of the BioISI research centre, but before that she completed her undergraduate and master's degrees in Ciências ULisboa. On the Ciências Open Day, the student showcased some of the attractions of microbiology in a session known as Eskape Room, which featured viruses and bacteriophages as the main characters.
Secondary School students brought joy and curiosity to the Open Day at Ciências ULisboa
“In this session, we wanted to promote interest in the laboratory context as well as the practical aspect, which helps to understand what a scientist does on a daily basis. We developed several challenges that encouraged students to think of solutions in the field of microbiology. At the end, we had a period for questions and a testimony about academic journeys. I enjoy this type of activity and I think it’s also interesting to bring scientists into schools,” recalls Carolina Pimentel.
“Being at the Faculty doesn’t have to be just about studying. We wanted to show the various experiences that help us to have a more complete education at this Faculty”
Study will always be the main purpose of the Faculty – but amid notes and exams, sport can also play a role. Mário Mateus da Costa knows well what he’s talking about, especially since the history of AEFCL also includes several champions of university sport. That’s why the Open Day featured a volleyball court, but also included guided tours of buildings and facilities – and activities related to culture, entertainment or complementary training were not forgotten.
“We want to show the other side of the Faculty,” says the president of the AEFCL. As would be expected, the participation of the AEFCL focused more on the academic aspect than on the curricular area. “Being at the Faculty doesn’t have to be just about studying. We wanted to show the various experiences that help us to have a more complete education at this Faculty,” says Mário Mateus da Costa. In July, the time for big decisions arrives.