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| Ciencia Viva | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ciencia Viva |
| Native name | Ciência Viva |
| Formation | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Lisbon |
| Location | Portugal |
| Type | Public agency |
| Purpose | Science popularization |
| Leader title | President |
| Leader name | José Mariano Gago |
Ciencia Viva
Ciencia Viva is a Portuguese national agency for science and technology popularization, founded in 1996 to coordinate science centers, promote public engagement with science, and support informal learning. It operates a network of city museums and mobile units that interact with schools, museums, universities, and industry partners across Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and other municipalities. The agency links national policy initiatives with regional institutions, collaborating with ministries, research institutes, foundations, and international organizations.
Established during the late 20th century, the agency emerged amid reforms associated with the government of Aníbal Cavaco Silva and policy debates influenced by figures such as José Mariano Gago and institutions including the European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Early activities connected to projects funded by the European Social Fund and structural programs run by the European Union. Initial regional centers opened in urban areas like Lisbon and Porto, reflecting partnerships with municipal authorities such as the Câmara Municipal de Lisboa and higher education institutions including the University of Lisbon and the University of Porto. Over time, collaborations extended to cultural organizations like the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and research bodies such as the Instituto Superior Técnico and the Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores. International links grew through engagements with networks including the European Network of Science Centres and Museums and UNESCO programs.
The agency’s stated aims align with national strategies promoted by ministries including the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education and policy frameworks like the Lisbon Strategy. Objectives emphasize promoting scientific literacy among diverse audiences, supporting the careers of researchers affiliated with entities such as the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia and strengthening ties between the public and institutions such as the Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge and the Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Coimbra. Targets include increasing participation by youth connected to schools like the Escola Secundária Dona Maria II and engaging communities linked to municipal partners such as the Câmara Municipal do Porto.
Governance involves oversight by public officials appointed through frameworks tied to the Constitution of Portugal and administrative practices of the Portuguese Republic. Leadership has included prominent scientists and administrators connected to universities like the University of Coimbra and research institutes such as the Instituto de Investigação Científica Tropical. Regional nodes operate in coordination with municipal councils, cultural centers such as the Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência, and professional associations including the Associação Portuguesa de Museologia. Advisory boards have featured members from international organizations including the European Commission and academic representatives from institutions like the NOVA University Lisbon.
The network runs hands-on exhibits and temporary exhibitions modeled on practices from institutions like the Science Museum, London and the Exploratorium. Signature initiatives include mobile science vans deployed to rural municipalities, summer camps inspired by programs at the Max Planck Society and school outreach modeled on collaborations with the University of Porto and technical schools. The agency organizes festivals and events that mirror formats used by the British Science Association and coordinates themed years similar to campaigns by the European Year of Science and Technology. Activities also encompass training courses for museum professionals in partnership with the International Council of Museums and workshop series developed with researchers from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory.
Educational efforts target a broad spectrum of learners, from pre-school programs linked to municipal education departments like the Câmara Municipal de Aveiro to postgraduate workshops involving groups from the University of Minho and vocational institutes such as the Instituto Politécnico de Leiria. Interactive exhibits draw upon museological methods used at the Deutsches Museum and pedagogical frameworks promoted by organizations like the OECD. Programs include teacher training inspired by curricula at the Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa and citizen science projects similar to initiatives from the Royal Society and Citizen Science Association, enabling volunteers to collaborate with laboratories such as the Champalimaud Foundation.
The agency collaborates with research institutions including the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, the University of Coimbra, and the Instituto de Física Teórica. International partnerships extend to networks such as the European Network of Science Centres and Museums and research programs coordinated by the European Research Council. Joint projects have been undertaken with hospitals like the Hospital de Santa Maria and institutes including the Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge and the Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science. Partnerships with foundations such as the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and private sector collaborations with companies like EDP (Energias de Portugal) support technology-driven exhibits and research on public engagement.
Funding derives from public budgets administered by ministries including the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education, as well as grants from the European Union and support from philanthropic organizations such as the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Governance combines oversight by state bodies, advisory input from academic institutions like the Instituto Superior Técnico and fiscal arrangements shaped by Portuguese public administration statutes. External evaluations have referenced standards promoted by the European Commission and benchmarking against institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution and national agencies in other member states of the European Union.
Category:Science communication in Portugal Category:Non-profit organisations based in Portugal