Science as a tool to address something that actually matters
Em São Paulo, a ciência ganha um endereço inesperado: a sala de aula da escola pública. Pela quinta vez, a Fapesp e a Fundação Roberto Marinho convidam estudantes e professores a transformar problemas cotidianos em perguntas científicas — e as inscrições, abertas até 12 de junho, são gratuitas e acessíveis. É um gesto que reconhece que o pensamento rigoroso não pertence apenas às universidades, mas a qualquer comunidade disposta a observar o próprio mundo com cuidado.
- O prazo é curto — as inscrições encerram em 12 de junho — e a janela para escolas que ainda não descobriram o prêmio está se fechando rapidamente.
- A exigência de um curso online obrigatório cria uma etapa extra, mas também garante que professores e alunos cheguem ao projeto com estrutura metodológica real.
- A simplicidade da inscrição — apenas tema e breve descrição — reduz a barreira de entrada para escolas sem experiência em competições científicas formais.
- Vencedores ganham visitas a centros de pesquisa da Fapesp com logística custeada, e professores recebem notebooks, tornando o reconhecimento tangível para quem guia o trabalho.
- O prêmio já alcançou doze municípios paulistas em suas edições anteriores, sinalizando uma expansão gradual do alcance da ciência como ferramenta comunitária.
São Paulo abre inscrições para o Prêmio Ciência para Todos, iniciativa que chega à sua quinta edição unindo a Fapesp e a Fundação Roberto Marinho, pelo Canal Futura. Estudantes do ensino fundamental, médio, técnico e de jovens e adultos podem participar gratuitamente até 12 de junho, desde que orientados por um professor da própria escola — que é quem realiza a inscrição.
O tema deste ano é "Um Mundo Melhor para Todos". Os projetos podem abordar qualquer área do conhecimento, mas precisam estar enraizados em problemas reais do cotidiano e apontar soluções concretas. Na hora de se inscrever, basta informar o tema e uma breve descrição; os detalhes metodológicos e os resultados só são exigidos em agosto, quando os projetos submetem seus relatórios completos.
Há uma exigência central: professores e alunos devem concluir um curso online que ensina a estruturar pesquisas científicas dentro da sala de aula. Quem termina o curso recebe certificado. O calendário segue com a divulgação dos projetos aceitos em 14 de junho, prazo de formação até 25 de setembro, avaliação em outubro e cerimônia de premiação em 6 de novembro.
Três projetos vencem em cada categoria — fundamental e médio. As equipes ganham visita a um centro de pesquisa da Fapesp, com transporte, refeições e suporte educacional incluídos. Os professores orientadores recebem notebooks como reconhecimento pelo trabalho construído. Para escolas que nunca participaram de uma competição formal ou que têm ideias sem plataforma para testá-las, o prêmio representa uma abertura real.
São Paulo is opening doors for public school students and teachers to think like scientists. The Science for All Prize, now in its fifth year, is accepting applications through June 12 for young researchers who want to tackle real problems in their own communities using the tools of scientific inquiry.
The competition is run by Fapesp, the São Paulo Research Foundation, in partnership with the Roberto Marinho Foundation through Canal Futura. It's free to enter. Students in the final years of elementary school, high school, technical programs, and adult education can participate, but they must work under the guidance of a teacher from their school. The teacher handles the registration.
This year's theme is "A Better World for Everyone." The invitation is straightforward: develop research in any field of knowledge, but it has to connect to real everyday problems and propose actual solutions. A single class can enter, or students from different grades can form a group. The work doesn't need to be polished at the start. When you register, you only need to provide basic information—the topic and a brief description. The full details about methodology, how the work unfolded, and what was discovered come later, in August, when projects submit their complete reports.
There is one requirement that matters: participants must complete an online course. It teaches both teachers and students how to structure scientific research properly and how to develop projects inside the classroom. Teachers who finish the course receive a certificate.
The prize recognizes three winning projects in each category—elementary and high school. The winning teams get something concrete: a visit to a research center supported by Fapesp, with transportation, meals, and educational support all covered. The teachers who guided the work receive a notebook as recognition for what they've built.
The timeline is tight but manageable. Registrations close June 12. By June 14, organizers announce which projects have been accepted to move forward. Students and teachers then have until September 25 to complete their online training. In October, the actual evaluation of the work happens. Winners are announced and celebrated on November 6.
Since its creation, the prize has already recognized student projects across twelve cities in São Paulo state. The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, using science as a tool to improve quality of life in communities. For schools and students who have never entered a formal competition before, or who have ideas but no platform to test them, this is an opening.
Notable Quotes
The prize invites students and educators to develop research in any field of knowledge, as long as it connects to everyday problems and proposes innovative solutions— Prize guidelines
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does a prize like this matter? There are already science fairs in schools.
This one is different because it starts with a real problem in the community, not just a demonstration. A student might notice their neighborhood has water quality issues, or that elderly people in their building are isolated. The science comes second—it's the tool to address something that actually matters to them.
So it's not about getting the best grade in chemistry.
Exactly. It's about asking: what's broken here, and can we use research to fix it? That changes how students see science—not as something that happens in textbooks, but as something that works.
The registration process sounds simple. Is that intentional?
Yes. They're not trying to filter people out at the start. They want teachers and students who have an idea to say yes without drowning in paperwork. The rigor comes in the online course and the full report later.
What happens to a student after they win?
They visit a real research center. They see scientists at work. They understand that the thinking they did in their classroom connects to something bigger. And their teacher gets recognized—which matters, because this kind of work takes time and energy.
Who actually benefits most—the students or the schools?
Both, but differently. Students get validation that their questions are worth asking. Schools get proof that their students can do serious intellectual work, which changes how the community sees public education.