High school students from 45 public schools in Campinas and five other cities in the region participated, this Wednesday (8), in the opening of the 21st edition of Science & Art on Vacation (CAF), a program organized annually by Unicamp to stimulate students' interest in scientific research and the arts.
Until January 29, 122 young people will participate in workshops – under the supervision of researchers and professors – in activities that involve all areas of knowledge, through short courses on topics ranging from the processing of plant-based foods and the chemistry of perfumes to the poetic resistance of youth. In addition to the workshops, students will have contact with 31 research projects.
At this year's CAF, students from Campinas were joined by students from public schools in Piracicaba, Limeira, Jaguariúna, Valinhos and Vinhedo.
“It is an honor for Unicamp to welcome you. It is good for us to know that you are interested in participating in this project. I hope that, with the activities planned at CAF, you will be able to identify areas of interest and begin to define the direction of your lives,” said the Vice-Rector of Research, Ana Fratini.
The Vice-Rector of Undergraduate Studies, Ivan Toro, reminded students that Unicamp is a public university and highlighted the fact that approximately 50% of its students come from public schools. “It is not impossible to study at Unicamp. Believe me,” said Toro.
“Financial conditions are not an impediment to studying here,” the pro-rector emphasized, noting that the University offers special forms of access and several mechanisms to ensure students remain. “Unicamp reinforces its commitment to democracy and inclusion.”
For organizer Mirian Marconçola, CAF is already a consolidated program that has produced encouraging results. “The students are undergoing a major transformation. They are enthusiastic about the program,” she says.
Student expectations
Stefany Souza Castro, 17, a student at the Antonio Vilela Jr State School in Vila Industrial, Campinas, is participating in her second edition of CAF this year. The student said she has great expectations for this edition of the event. According to her, the contact with the University – and with the research projects – could be useful in her future academic life.
Matheus Henrique Muniz Nunes, 16, says he still doesn’t know what he wants to do in higher education. “The only thing he’s sure of is that I want to do something in the humanities,” he said. “Probably in the arts.” For the student, CAF can help him adapt to university. “The idea of the project is very interesting. It’s important for us to visit the university and experience this environment,” he explained.
Students at a public school in Piracicaba, Nayely Savian and Sophia Gomes da Silva said they were excited about the month of experiences they had ahead of them. “I expect to learn very different things,” said the first of them. “And learn from new experiences,” added the second.
The CAF opening event also included the participation of Professor Marco Aurélio Cremasco, representing the Pro-Rector of Extension, Sports and Culture, Fernando Coelho, and the teaching supervisor for the Campinas-Leste region, Paula Adriana Sierignolli.
