UCLIO was present at the SciCom Portugal Congress 2025, which took place between April 9th and 11th, 2025 in Funchal, Madeira. The event brought together over 170 professionals from diverse backgrounds working in the fields of science communication, public engagement, and science education, and focused on the theme of science communication as a bridge between centres and peripheries, promoting the inclusion of all regions and expanding access to scientific knowledge.
Several NUCLIO projects were presented, with special emphasis on Astro-Journeys, BioStreams, Geo-Academy, Otters and SoundScapes, and the Change Makers initiative was also brought to public attention.
During the session “Short Communications 4 | Science Communication and Literacy” on April 10, the talk titled “Personalised Journeys in Astronomy with AI and Robotic Telescopes” was feature. The session highlighted innovative science communication strategies for young audiences, focusing on active participation in authentic scientific practices and personalised learning through the use of generative artificial intelligence and tools such as robotic telescopes and the big ideas of astronomy. The Astro-Journeys project was presented as a case study, illustrating how astronomy can be communicated in an accessible, immersive, and culturally relevant way, fostering scientific literacy and sustained engagement with science.
The BioStreams presentation session was related to health subject areas, and showcased how the project promotes health literacy and combats childhood obesity.
The Geo-Academy project was presented during the demonstration session, where the project was showcased with a stand and two activities. The first one featured a portable, on-location “seismograph” made of two micro:bit that communicate via radio. Data was viewed in real-time in a computer screen as well as in three 12 LED strips, each representing the x,y and z-axis. The second activity showcased how an LED strip could be used for storytelling: the gravitational acceleration of the planets of our solar system was mapped into each LED as light intensities.
The OTTERS project was presented during a session focused on “Science and Society”, showcasing how citizen science can be integrated in education through co-creation processes, empowering young learners
to become active agents in social change and the preservation of aquatic ecosystems, developing a deeper connection with science and a greater commitment to protecting the environment.
The OTTERS Conference and the project’s Spring School, which will be held in Portugal at the end of May 2025, were also announced.
SoundScapes project organized a 3 hours workshop on Data Sonification for Science Communication. Participants learned to convert complex scientific data into sound through sonification, exploring techniques to map data attributes to auditory formats. They engaged with real-world data sets and discussed how sonification can effectively reach diverse audiences, gaining skills and appreciation for its role in enhancing public engagement with science.
Change Makers was introduced through a stand offering a range of equipment, materials, and activities for everyone to try out.
Thanks to everyone who came to our presentations and activities!