Scientist: A role model for students

On Thursday 26th January, Sandra Sousa, researcher from the Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), will be presented as a role model in careers advice video that will be distributed in schools in Porto. In this session, a video about the journey of a researcher will be shown, and students will have the opportunity to discuss some aspects of the career of a scientist with Sandra Sousa.

How many times do we hear children say that when they grow up, they want to be like that football player or film star? And how often do we hear that children want to be scientists? With the objective of creating new role models for young people, the Porto City Hall created the project ‘A month, a life story’ in which 11 guests are presented to primary and secondary school students.

The project ‘A month, a life story’ selected 11 successful personalities from the city (not only scientists) to be presented to both primary and secondary school students as role models. The people selected include Belmiro de Azevedo, Ana Raquel Lima, António Frutoso, Gonçalo Cadilhe, Joana Queiroz Ribeiro, José Carlos Palhares, Luís Portela, Raquel Seruca, Sandra Sousa, Sérgio Reis Cunha and Diogo Vasconcelos. Some short films were produced about the lives and professional careers of these personalities that will be subsequently viewed by primary and secondary school pupils from Porto.

The objective of this initiative is to replace the current role models of younger generations, typically with easy fame and celebrity glamour, for people who are distinguished by the innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship of their careers. The achievements of these people are based on education and qualifications. The aim of this project is to create a standard of skills and values, and an inspiration for future generations.

“To be a scientist is to have the type of attitude that is essential to have in society these days; an example of effort, dedication and creativity”, says Sandra Sousa. “To be a scientist means having to study more than the usual amount, rarely having an established position, working in a very competitive environment in which it is necessary to constantly present results, being multitalented and a good communicator”, explains Sandra Sousa. The researcher agreed to participate in this project to help to “replace role models based upon easy gain, for others that reinforce the value of effort, of initiative and of creativity.”

The launch of the video of Sandra Sousa will take place at IBMC, Rua do Campo Alegre 823, Porto, with visitors from two secondary school classes. The session will be held at 4:30 p.m. on 26th January, and is open to all those interested.