For one week, our team hosted two high school students (Valentina Mestre and Olga de Almeida), who had the opportunity to engage with and participate in the research activities carried out in the Molecular Biomaterials group at i3S, as part of the “Scientific Engagement for Young People During the 2026 Holidays”.
Under the supervision of Sara Silva and Bárbara Matos, Valentina and Olga learnt how to produce alginate microcapsules for controlled release of different types of molecules for biomedical applications. This short internship allowed them to be directly involved in experimental studies aiming at evaluating the effect of different parameters like pH and temperature on the controlled release of tyrosine from alginate microcapsules, mimicking conditions with biological relevance. They applied experimental techniques such as drug encapsulation and absorvance measurements using a microplate reader and an enzymatic-based assay to quantify the released molecule.
The students have also interacted with other researchers in the group, having the opportunity to learn about other projects and discuss future perspectives on their studies and professional careers. For both of them, this proved to be an enriching opportunity to immerse themselves in the daily routines of a laboratory and the work of a scientist, explore and practice different techniques, and gain a clearer perspective on what it truly means to be a scientist. This also proved to be a highly rewarding experience for the hosting researchers (see testimonials below).
They also had the opportunity to present their work at the Closing Congress, “20ª Escola de Ciências da Vida e da Saúde,” held on 5 September at the Abel Salazar Building of the University of Porto. This was another valuable opportunity for them to further develop their communication and other transferable skills.
About this initiative: Ciência Viva no Laboratório – Ocupação Científica de Jovens nas Férias is a summer internship program for high-school students, offering young people the opportunity to take part in internships at the most prestigious national scientific institutions. The program aims to promote hands-on science education and encourage young people to pursue scientific careers. Organised in collaboration with the Portuguese scientific community, this program has already provided around 20,000 students across the country with the opportunity to experience scientific research up close. It has played a decisive role in guiding young Portuguese students and helping them explore career options in science and technology.
Testimonials
Valentina Mestre “I loved spending this week at i3S and having the opportunity to be directly involved in research work, and my only regret is that it wasn’t for a longer period of time. It allowed me to gain a clearer idea of what it is like to be a researcher and made me want to continue learning about science and health, and possibly pursue further studies in this field..”
Bárbara Matos “It was a real pleasure to open the doors of our laboratory to two high school students and give them the opportunity to experience laboratory research for the first time. Their curiosity, enthusiasm, and genuine interest in the project made the experience truly rewarding for us as well. I believe this exchange gave them a valuable insight into the daily life of a researcher, allowing them to discover not only the excitement of scientific research but also the dedication, teamwork and challenges it involves. At the same time, their energy and fresh perspective reminded us of the importance of sharing our passion for science and encouraging the next generation of researchers to explore this path.”