EduBiota at the XI Casa das Ciências Meeting: Towards Safer and More Sustainable School Microbiology

From 7 to 9 July 2026, EduBiota took part in the XI Casa das Ciências Meeting (https://www.casadasciencias.org/11encontro/), held in Guimarães and dedicated to the theme “For One-Planet Cities: Empowering Teachers for a Sustainable Future.”

EduBiota’s participation included the presentation “Eco-Microbiology in Secondary Education: Safe and Sustainable Practices,” delivered by Lara Amorim and co-authored by Betina Lopes, Raquel Ribeiro, and Maria da Conceição Santos.

The presentation introduced an approach designed to adapt practical microbiology activities to school contexts, addressing some of the constraints that often limit this type of work in schools, including access to materials, costs, biosafety conditions, and waste management.

The proposed Eco-Microbiology approach is grounded in four central principles: frugality, through the use of accessible solutions; biosafety, based on clearly defined limits and appropriate practices; circularity, through the responsible reuse of materials and waste reduction; and environmental responsibility, by seeking to reduce the impact associated with laboratory activities.

The aim is not to simplify microbiology or reduce its scientific rigour, but to make it more feasible, safe, sustainable, and pedagogically relevant in secondary education. This perspective seeks to support teachers in transforming laboratory experiences into activities suited to the actual conditions of schools, while preserving their scientific and educational value.

The presentation also provided an opportunity to disseminate the work developed within the doctoral research project underpinning EduBiota and to promote dialogue with teachers and other education professionals about practical ways of bringing microbiology closer to school contexts.

A meeting distinguished by the quality of its venues and organisation

This edition also stood out for the excellent organisation by Casa das Ciências and for the quality of the venues selected to host the meeting.

The Vila Flor Cultural Centre provided particularly suitable conditions for plenary sessions and presentations, with a spacious, comfortable, and well-equipped auditorium. The other meeting spaces encouraged interaction among participants, contact with educational projects and resources, and the informal exchange of experiences.

The high level of participation, together with the welcoming, dynamic, and professional atmosphere, helped make the meeting an important opportunity for professional development and dialogue among teachers, researchers, and other professionals involved in science education.

The choice of Guimarães, together with venues capable of bringing together science, education, heritage, and sustainability, strongly reinforced the identity of this edition.

EduBiota’s participation in the XI Casa das Ciências Meeting therefore provided an important opportunity to share a sustainability-oriented approach to school microbiology, engage with the education community, and reaffirm the project’s commitment to more accessible, safe, and responsible science education.

A selection of photographs documenting EduBiota’s participation in the XI Casa das Ciências Meeting, held in Guimarães from 7 to 9 July 2026:

Photographs: Organisation of the XI Casa das Ciências Meeting.