The Mariano Gago Ecsite Awards celebrate the innovative and impactful work of Ecsite community members. As we countdown to the 2024 Mariano Gago Ecsite Awards, this series aims to shed a light on some of the Highly Commended projects and exhibitions submitted for the 2023 Awards.

Spotlight on Highly Commended 2023 – Healthy Neighbourhoods: Promoting social inclusion through science and technology

by Pavilion of Knowledge – Ciência Viva

If you would like to read the article with pictures of the project, click here.

The team at Pavilion of Knowledge – Ciência Viva set out to prove that science engagement can have extraordinarily positive impacts of communities and promote social inclusion. In order to do this, the team launched their project in three neighbourhoods in Setúbal, Amadora, and Lisbon, which were facing socioeconomic hardships. The goal was to engage community members of all ages, genders, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds in science. What was especially impressive to the jury was the fact that Pavilion of Knowledge – Ciência Viva collaborated with local municipalities and organisations to have the most positive impact on these communities.

So how did they go about it? The team with their local collaborators came up with a tailored programme full of events that were relevant to the communities. In each neighbourhood, the team reached out to 50 families and 100 children; including senior citizens, for whom science and technology (particularly digital technology) were inaccessible.

Some of the events born from this initiative included setting up locations for science and technology exploration, workshops with scientific community participation aimed at teenagers, digital competencies training sessions with elderly residents, engaging activities for children and, of course, visits to the Ciência Viva’s Pavilion of Knowledge, museums, and research centres.

And what was the legacy of these events? A Ciência Viva Science Club was established in these communities, which facilitates STEAM activities such as hands-on maker workshops and meetings with scientists and educators which contributes to engaging the communities and democratising science. All in all, the Healthy Neighbourhoods project has promoted social inclusion through science and has empowered individuals across generations to promote sustained family involvement in science and technology.

If you would like to learn more about the 2024 Mariano Gago Ecsite Awards and how to submit, please click here. Submissions close 12 February 2024 and winners of the Ecsite Excellence in Science Engagement Award receive a certificate, trophy and one free entry to the 2024 Ecsite Conference.