Job shadowing: Science on Stage Serbia visits Portugal
As part of the Erasmus+ KA101 Science on Stage project, Dalibor Todorović, a member of the National Steering Committee of Science on Stage Serbia, participated in a job shadowing in Portugal at NUCLIO/Science on Stage Portugal as a staff member partner organisation from 22 to 26 April. On the first day, he visited the Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences (IA), where Pedro Machado, professor and researcher, a specialist in solar systems and atmospheres, introduced him to his work. He also learned about this institute's Ph.D. programs in galaxies, stars, planets, and cosmology.
A visit was organised to the Lisbon Astronomical Observatory, an institution internationally recognised for the quality of its work in the field of astronomy since the 19th century. Sergio Pereira, a science communicator at the Institute of Astrophysics, took Dalibor on a visit to the observatory, which he said was a magical three-hour tour.
On the second day, the IA Science Communication Group organised an in-depth presentation discussing all the activities of this institute, with the opportunity to speak individually with professional astronomers, researchers and PhD students in the field of galaxies, who presented the research work they are involved in. José Afonso, senior researcher, professor at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon and former director of the Institute of Astrophysics, explained the role of the Institute and presented the courses it teaches and the activities it carries out with the Institute. The aim is to bring astronomy and science closer together as well as introducing Astrophysics to the general population, especially younger students. Finally, Sergio Pereira presented the work and numerous activities of the IA Science Communication Group at regional, national, and international levels, as well as the international projects in which it is involved.
Dalibor also spent two days at the São Julião da Barra school group in the municipality of Oeiras, specifically at the Sebastião e Silva secondary school. The group welcomes students from preschool age to grade 12. He was received by Cristina Pinho, Professor of Physics and Coordinator of the Department of Mathematics and Experimental Sciences. He visited several courses and laboratories and spoke with students. A reception was organised where the director and coordinator of the Erasmus+ projects introduced the school, followed by a talk with the management and a 90-minute visit to the facilities.
During his visit, Dalibor was amazed by the museum room, which contains historical objects that were once used in science lessons, especially in physics and chemistry. The following day, Grade 10 students presented their STEAM projects, some of which won awards at the European level, as part of the "5 minutes of science" campaign. Dalibor also visited another school in the cluster - Escola Básica Manuel Beça Múrias, where he learned how first-cycle students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through mathematical games, programming and robotics. He also participated in a Year 12 Python programming course as an extracurricular activity and learned about the robotics club, its program and work organisation, and the projects the club develops. Dalibor also had the opportunity to attend a concert of classical music by the "Seixal Metal Quintet", which took place in the school's auditorium. In her opinion, the organisation of the lessons and extracurricular activities, as well as the daily school life and the behavior of the students were remarkable!
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