MED researchers bring biodiversity to the “Ciência na Rua 2026” Science and Art Festival

Estremoz town centre hosted the Science and Art Festival – Ciência na Rua 2026 on 20 June, which featured researchers from MED who led three activities related to the theme “Biodiversity… Evolution versus Extinctions…”.

The 9th edition of this festival, which returned after a 12-year hiatus, had the overall theme “Sustainability… Unsustainable?!” and was organised by the Estremoz Ciência Viva Centre, Estremoz Town Council and the University of Évora. From 4.00 pm on 20 June to 1.00 am on 21 June, the programme featured scientific experiments, interactive activities for visitors, street performances, music, dance and puppet shows.

Ana Sampaio, André Oliveira, Carlos Godinho, Carmo Silva and Pedro Salgueiro, researchers from MED’s Ecology and Biogeography group, led three activities:

“Madam Butterfly: the show about the secret life of our butterflies”;
“Bugz Lightyear: Build insects in the light of the European Researchers’ Night”;
“Following the mysterious trail of the Alentejo’s mammals”.

These activities involved around 110 adults and 105 children, introducing the public to the biodiversity of mammals, insects and other arthropods through interactive games, stamp activities and a light table.

MED’s participation in this event reinforces our R&D unit’s commitment to scientific dissemination and the promotion of scientific culture within society, bringing the knowledge produced by its researchers closer to different audiences.