Bring science closer to society, showing the knowledge that the University produces. This was the main objective of the “Science in the Square” event, which took students, teachers, employees and representatives of trade unions from Unicamp to Largo do Rosário in Campinas on Tuesday 13th during a demonstration in defense of national education and in favor of maintaining the autonomy of public universities. Projects already in progress for master's, doctorate and scientific initiation from various units at Unicamp were exposed and presented to those passing by in a relaxed manner and using less academic language.
The professor at the Jefferson Picanço Geosciences Institute and a group of students promoted a display of the research and extension activities carried out at the Unit. "The IG, with its multidisciplinary characteristic, brought research into geology, geography and scientific and technological policy to the population. We live in a time when science is under attack and under very strong judgment. We are here to show what it is in fact. If science has problems, the best solution is science itself", said the professor.
One of the studies presented by students from the Institute of Statistical Mathematics and Scientific Computing (IMECC) at “Ciência na Praça” presented an experiment on the rupture of tailings dams using models and mathematical calculations. Another experiment showed properties of some minerals, such as magnetite. The playful experiment shows the use of magnetic properties in separating minerals. The participation of undergraduate and postgraduate students was active. Talita Gantus de Oliveira, a doctoral student at IG, who studies risk management in disasters and is supervised by Picanço, considers participation in the event essential for reaching out to the non-academic population. “Our presence here is important so that the population understands the need to support quality public education. If we don’t show what we do, we won’t be able to garner all the support we need to maintain education,” she said.
Wagner Romão, professor at the Institute of Philosophy and Human Sciences (IFCH) and president of the Unicamp Professors' Association (Adunicamp), spoke about the current situation in higher education and the autonomy of universities in São Paulo. "We have been experiencing a very forceful regime of cuts that has put the continuity of university work at risk. The time of restrictions at state universities in São Paulo has had an impact on salaries and pensions, making it impossible to hire people to replace staff," he said. According to the professor, the autonomy of São Paulo universities, which celebrates 30 years this Thursday, the 15th, was an achievement of professors, staff and students at that time. "It's always important to remember. We have to take precautions to maintain university autonomy", he concluded.
