Braga hosted the European Researchers’ Night with more than 200 activities

More than 900 teachers, researchers and students were involved in the initiative, which took place at Forum Braga, with almost ten hours of free scientific programming.

The School of Sciences of the University of Minho (ECUM) organized on the 25th, another edition of the European Researchers’ Night (NEI2026), an initiative that brings science closer to citizens of all ages. With free admission, the event took place at Forum Braga, between 2:30 pm and 12:00 pm, bringing together more than 200 experiences, demonstrations, exhibitions, workshops, debates, hobbies and interactive games, which involved about 900 teachers, researchers and students.

The official visit took place at 3:30 pm, with the presence of the Rector of UMinho, Pedro Arezes, the President of ECUM, José González-Méijome, the Mayor of Braga, João Rodrigues, the member of the board of directors of the National Center for Advanced Computing (CNCA), João Nuno Ferreira, and the marketing director of the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Mariam Debs, among other officials.

UMinho was represented by the School of Sciences (CBMA, CCT, CF, CMat, CQ, DB, DCT, DF, DQ, DMat, LIP), School of Engineering (2C2T, Algoritmi, CEB, CMEMS, INESC TEC, ISISE), School of Economics, Management and Political Science (CICP), School of Medicine (ICVS), School of Psychology (CIPsi), School of Nursing and Institute of Social Sciences (CECS, CICS,  Lab2PT, CRIA), as well as spin-offs such as Solfarcos (EEUM) and Stemmatters, by the Arqus alliance, by the Lúcio Craveiro da Silva Library, by Gostar Ciência, by Laboratório da Paisagem and by ProChild CoLab, among others.

Science to try

Throughout the event, participants were able to discover the fascinations of science, explore biodiversity and DNA, understand how cultures adapt to climate change, experiment with sensors, batteries and smart materials, solve mathematical games and riddles, use augmented reality to discover the origin of sands and minerals and learn about applications of robotics, biotechnology and electronics in health, textiles and other areas. There was also the round table “Science for All: the role of municipalities in scientific literacy”, with representatives of the municipalities of Braga, Guimarães, Famalicão, Ponte de Lima, Fafe and Viana do Castelo.

This year’s edition once again included a Science Exhibition, bringing together projects developed by students from primary and secondary schools in Braga, Guimarães, Famalicão and Vila Verde. Air and water quality, meteorology, biodiversity, renewable energies, space exploration, particle physics, microplastics, robotics and sustainability are some of the topics highlighted, through experiments and prototypes that show the application of science and technology to concrete challenges.

NEI 2026 also included workshops and workshops with prior registration and limited places. The program included proposals on astronomy, origin of life, genetics, stem cells, artificial intelligence, robotics, biodiversity, water quality, organ-on-a-chip, sustainable food and housing.

The European Researchers’ Night is an initiative promoted by the European Commission since 2005, with the aim of celebrating science and bringing it closer to citizens. The initiative takes place simultaneously in more than 30 countries and 300 European cities. NEI Braga is one of the largest science events in the North of Portugal, with the partnership of the municipalities of Braga, Guimarães, Famalicão, Vieira do Minho, Ponte de Lima, Fafe and Viana do Castelo, INL, CNCA, Arqus and the Organic Units of this Academy.

More informations here