The 2017 National Science and Technology Week (SNCT) – with the motto “Mathematics is in everything” – featured daily activities from the Laboratory for Advanced Studies in Journalism (Labjor) at Web Radio, unit of the University's Communication Secretariat (SEC); the Exploratory Science Museum (MC), at its headquarters; and Unicamp, on the campus of the Faculty of Technology (FT) and the Technical College of Limeira (Cotil), among others. The programs run until this Friday (27th), and SNCT celebrations throughout Brazil will run until the 29th (Sunday).
Last Thursday (26), Rafael Evangelista, professor of the master's program in Scientific and Cultural Dissemination at Labjor, was interviewed on Web University Radio. He talked about algorithms, tools that allow calculations to be carried out and the creation of mathematical models that can virtually reproduce an experience using logic. He said that one of his areas of research is surveillance. He explained that a large amount of data extracted from everyday life goes to information systems, feeding the databases, databases. The algorithms then use this data to make decisions, ranging from guiding the best transit route to knowing a company's interest rate when offering credit.
Surveillance studies, according to Evangelista, seek to understand the impacts of S&T on society, the political system and the consequences they have in relation to the symmetry of power. “The large mass of data collected about us is controlled by some social actors. And today they begin to know much more about us than we know about them. This has to do with the symmetry of power.”
Researcher Simone Pallone said that Labjor, her area of activity, has participated in the National S&T Week since last year, with live interviews at the Exploratory Science Museum (MC). This year, the interviews were carried out in the studio, in partnership with Web Radio. "As we have the program Oxygen, website radio and podcast, we decided to plan activities along these lines. We invited two interviewees to address topics related to mathematics each day of the week. The interviews lasted between 1 and 1h30", he reported. Veja the topics covered.
This Friday (27), the last interview was on the topic “What mathematics are we talking about”, with professors Denise Vilela, from UFSCar, and Antonio Miguel, from the Faculty of Education (FE) at Unicamp. They debated the possibility of thinking about “mathematics” in the plural.
This SNCT project at Unicamp is a partnership between the PHALA group (Research in Education, Language and Cultural Practices) at FE and Web Rádio Unicamp, with support from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), MCTIC and the federal government .
In addition to the interviews, Labjor prepared six spots about science, including the history of the Quebra-Quilos revolt, how the equals symbol (=) was created and the trajectory of Jacob Palis, a Brazilian mathematician honored at this year's SNCT. listen.
Labjor has addressed important national issues involving S&T through courses, research and publicity it carries out in this area, with broad participation from its students. So much so that the Oxigênio program and “Mathematics in the air” are made by students, coordinated by Simone Pallone. She highlighted that this week opens up space for new partnerships and to give greater visibility to Labjor's work in S&T. “We are also involved in a campaign to value science. The content generated helps to discuss experiences, including during classes.”
Exploratory Museum
Other activities were also planned and carried out during S&T Week by the Unicamp Exploratory Science Museum (MC). In the project “Mathematics in time and space”, the MC offered a program for the general public and in particular for the school public in Campinas and Limeira. Visits to the Campinas campus included the exhibitions at Praça Tempo Espaço, Pátio Clima Tempo and the Cor da Luz exhibition, with guided tours. Last Wednesday (25), there was a star observatory night.
On the Limeira campus, the Oficina Desafio mobile science truck was parked at FT and Cotil this week. Students from the junior company at the Gleb Wataghin Institute of Physics (IFGW) promoted a magic show, in which they explained the effect they produce.
Gabriela Celani, associate director of the MC, said that in this edition of SNCT there were already over 1.000 visitors to the museum, a number that should reach 1.500 by this Friday. “SNCT is very important because it is already being incorporated into the Campinas school calendar, which has stimulated many participations and generated great interest. Today, schools also have the opportunity to visit research centers such as the Information Technology Center (CTI), the National Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS) and the Campinas Dynamic Science Museum (MDCC)", he recalled.
According to the vice-rector of research (PRP) Munir Salomão Skaf from Unicamp, the PRP helped in articulating the SNCT program within the scope of Unicamp and in publicizing the event and its programming through the website. He commented that society has regrettably witnessed the budget cuts that the S&T department has suffered within the federal government and the financial crisis that a significant number of universities in the federal and state systems, research and technological innovation are going through. “At the same time, we note that Brazilian society as a whole appreciates scientific activity and recognizes its importance for the country’s economic and social development. Thus, SNCT plays a fundamental role in the integration of civil society and scientific academia, so it is our duty to support it.”
SNCT was established in 2004 through the General Coordination for the Popularization and Dissemination of Science (CGPC/SEPED). It is always held in the month of October under the coordination of MCTIC and has the collaboration of state and municipal departments, development agencies, scientific-cultural spaces, teaching and research institutions, scientific societies, schools, government agencies, technology-based companies and civil society entities.
