By Andrea Hargraves 
The Project Selection Notice for the 5th National Science Fair 2024, an important tool for science popularization and scientific publishing, was launched on Friday (5). This initiative was launched by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), in partnership with the National Forum of Science Fair and Exhibition Coordinators, the Federal Institute of Science and Technology of Espírito Santo (IFES), and the Federal Rural University of the Peninsula. Arid (Ufersa) and the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS).
The National Science Fair will take place from September 24 to 26 in Brasilia, and is scheduled to select about 40 projects from all states in the country. The announcement will include scientific projects developed by basic education students under the guidance of their teachers, covering various fields such as literature, arts, chemistry, physics, mathematics and engineering. Interested parties can access the notice and nominate projects on the website Mostra Nacional.tekoa.ong.br.
At the launch of the notice, MCTI Secretary of Science and Technology for Social Development, Iñacio Arruda, highlighted that science fairs and exhibitions play an essential role in the training of students and are evidence of the wealth and potential spread across the globe. nation.
Inacio Arruda defended the expansion and strengthening of scientific training as an essential tool for the country's development project, and said: “Without widespread scientific education among our children and adolescents and extensive dissemination of science, the role of the existence of a sovereign state cannot be achieved.” secretary.
The coordinator of the National Science Fair, Professor Thiago Maduro, from the International Foundation for Ecosystems, emphasized that the initiative is part of a general policy to disseminate science, with the support of other actors. “It is important to remember that this process always begins in the school environment. Science fairs represent an opportunity to highlight the talents of young scientists from all over the country,” he stressed.
One such talent is 19-year-old student Mayara de Jesus, from IFES Campus São Mateus. At this event, she talked about the opportunities and changes that have occurred in her life since she began participating in scientific initiative programs and events. “I have had the opportunity to participate in many projects as a volunteer and scholarship recipient and it has been a very good experience. Public Policy helps us have this experience, this connection with other students and learning about stories through research.”
The launch ceremony of the National Science Fair also witnessed the participation of the General Director of Science, Technology and Scientific Education at MCTI, Juana Nunes, and the General Coordinator of Incentives for Cooperation and Innovation in Vocational and Technical Education MEC, Pere Teza.
to choose
Projects selected for the exhibition must have participated in science fairs and exhibitions of municipal, state or national scale and have received support from annual funding notifications from MCTI and CNPq. The works will be selected based on recommendations from science fair coordinators held in all regions of the country, from preschool to high school and technical education.
The projects will be presented on an itinerant basis in September this year, in Brasilia, at the headquarters of MCTI, CNPq, the Ministry of Education (MEC), the University of Brasilia (UnB) and the National Congress. Participating teachers and students will also be received by the authorities and will participate in special visits.
The full launch event for the Fifth National Science Fair is available at MCTI YouTube page