The Enchanting World of Plants

On May 28, 2026, the laboratory at Marco de Canaveses Secondary School hosted the activity “The Enchanting World of Plants,” organised as part of the Science Alive Club at School, in collaboration with the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) and the Biology and Geology Department.

The initiative involved students in the 10th and 11th grades of the Science and Technology programs, who had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with different areas of plant science research. The UTAD team, consisting of Lia Dinis, Sandra Pereira, Miguel Baltazar, and Ricardo Santos, visited the school with scientific materials and equipment, introducing students to laboratory practices typically conducted in a university setting.

Among the various highlights of the activity was the demonstration with liquid nitrogen, which sparked great curiosity and allowed students to explore concepts related to ultra-low temperatures, cryopreservation, and physical changes in biological materials. Topics such as plant physiology, real-time measurement of plant gas exchange, soil erosion, plant adaptation to climate change, and the importance of biodiversity were also addressed.

The activity provided an opportunity to link the content covered in biology and geology classes with practical examples of scientific research, fostering students’ interest in science and the study of plants. The overall outcome was very positive, marked by the curiosity, participation, and enthusiasm shown by the students throughout the session.