Social insertion
Extension activities
Biotechnology in public schools of Sobral: science, bioethics and their applications in the society
The objective of this project is to promote the popularization of science and biotechnology through the presentation and discussion of topics such as vaccine production technologies and effects, stem cell research, gene therapy, gene sequencing and DNA editing and their impacts on society. Furthermore, the objective is to establish a foundation that enables high school students to identify biotechnological processes within society and to cultivate critical thinking skills. The aforementioned pedagogical approach has been demonstrated to elicit a range of student outcomes, including heightened autonomy, curiosity, and engagement. During the presentations and discussions in the schools, the objective is to cultivate social attitudes of respect and sensitivity, using knowledge from the field of biotechnology applied to sustainable development. The target audience for this project consists of teachers and high school students enrolled in public schools within the municipality of Sobral and its surrounding districts. The actions under discussion address the role of biotechnology in society as an instrument for strengthening education. The activities center on the following subjects: The following five subjects are of particular interest: (1) the intersection of biotechnology and science fiction, (2) the deconstruction of myths surrounding the production process and the effects of vaccines, (3) the utilization of embryonic stem cells, (4) the application of genetic sequencing for the prevention of diseases, and (5) the ramifications of genetic manipulation. A variety of academic events are scheduled, including lectures, roundtable discussions, workshops of both theoretical and practical orientations, and exhibitions. The project will also entail the production of e-books, manuals, booklets, and documentaries. The objective of this initiative is to generate feedback that will enhance scientific and technological development, promote innovation, and, most significantly, benefit disadvantaged populations or segments of the population that are socially vulnerable. The schools selected to host the project’s initiatives stand to benefit from the acquisition of tools that will assist them in overcoming the challenges they encounter on a daily basis, thereby enhancing the quality of their teaching. The project involves master’s and doctoral students in biotechnology, as well as undergraduate students.
Events:
I Symposium of Biotechnology in Semiarid Regions
Period: November 29-30, 2023.
Local: Central Auditorium, Faculty of Medicine, Sobral
The Graduate Program in Biotechnology hosted the inaugural Symposium of Biotechnology in Semiarid Regions in November of 2023. The event, characterized by its multidisciplinary nature, played a pivotal role in promoting the dissemination of scientific and technological production within the northern region of Ceará. The event boasted an approximate attendance of 200 participants and featured 103 registered papers. The event facilitated interaction among researchers, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and entrepreneurs, promoting collaboration with the productive sectors. The speakers represent national and international academic centers that are dedicated to the development of science and technology, scientific and technological prospecting, as well as knowledge and innovation management.
II Symposium of Biotechnology in Semiarid Regions
Period: November 27-29, 2024.
Local: Central Auditorium, Faculty of Medicine, Sobral
The II Symposium of Biotechnology in Semiarid Regions was a multidisciplinary event that attracted researchers from Brazil and other countries. The event featured presentations on the latest scientific and technological advances in various fields, including entrepreneurship, innovation, small business management, biotechnology, and the bioprospecting of natural and synthetic products. Other topics included in vivo and in vitro testing of bioactive products, new technologies for drug development and cancer treatment, and biotechnologies applied in human and animal reproduction. The audience was predominantly composed of two distinct groups: students and professionals, as well as researchers. It provided a forum for debate, updating, dissemination, and interaction with regional ecosystems of innovation, entrepreneurship, and small business management. The program was meticulously designed, with a focus on themes that engaged with the research interests of local scholars and institutions, while also aligning with the broader context of regional development. The event in question served to facilitate collaboration among academic professionals engaged in research related to entrepreneurship, innovation, and small businesses. These professionals were able to engage with local and regional stakeholders, as well as individuals who were either directly involved in or interested in these fields.
The Mini Scientists: Enchanting the Semi-Arid with Health and Knowledge
This project is financed by the Ministry of Education through the Intersectoral Extension Network, which is an initiative that aims to develop a governance model for promoting intersectoral networks within the context of university extension.
This network has two equally important objectives:
(1) The development of intersectoral networks in socially vulnerable territories, in coordination with areas such as social assistance, health, sport, culture, justice, public security, human rights, the environment, science, technology and innovation.
(2) Carrying out intersectoral activities linked to the local basic education system with the aim of addressing complex challenges impacting the development of education in the territories.
The Mini Scientists project has emerged as a transformative initiative in the semi-arid region of Ceará, providing primary school children with access to science, health and knowledge through enjoyable workshops, hands-on experiences and interactive activities. Run by undergraduate and postgraduate students, the project fosters closer ties between the university and the community, focusing on scientific inclusion and valuing the local area.
The initiative has an important partnership with the Graduate Program in Biotechnology (PPGBiotec) at the Federal University of Ceará – Sobral Campus, , with the involvement of professors José Roberto Viana Silva, Igor Iuco Castro da Silva, Anderson Weiny Barbalho Silva and Mirna Marques Bezerra. This collaboration strengthens the link between teaching, research and extension, allowing master’s students to contribute in the training of extension workers, in the development of accessible teaching materials, and in the translation of complex content – such as microbiology, biotechnology and preventive health – into language suitable for children.
The project has a strong interdisciplinary and inter-institutional character. It delights children from the semi-arid region with science, promotes citizenship, and contributes to making public education more critical, democratic, and enchanting.
