This edition also collected 4.5 tons of non-perishable food donations
Ciência Aberta 2025, held by the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) on May 30 and 31, broke previous attendance records with around 39,000 visitors to the open science event over two days in Campinas, São Paulo. This figure is almost double the 21,000 who attended in 2024.
Visitors got a look behind the scenes of science in guided tours, workshops, lectures and immersive experiences, and talked directly to researchers and experts working in CNPEM’s laboratories.
Ciência Aberta 2025, held by the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) on May 30 and 31, broke previous attendance records with around 39,000 visitors to the open science event over two days in Campinas
On Friday (30), a day exclusively for educational institutions that registered prior to the event, CNPEM welcomed over 16,000 students and teachers from 234 schools and universities in seven Brazilian states (São Paulo, Paraná, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina and Mato Grosso do Sul) and 80 cities across the country.
The event was open to the general public on Saturday (31) and brought together more than 22,000 visitors that included families, students and educators. During the two-day event, participants visited Sirius, Brazil’s internationally acclaimed electron accelerator, visited the undergraduate Learning Center at the Ilum School of Science, got a close look at CNPEM’s research projects and scientific facilities (in the areas of synchrotron light, biosciences, nanotechnology and biorenewables) and took part in around 100 hands-on and interactive activities across the campus like workshops, panel discussions, exhibitions, scientific demonstrations and fun activities for all ages.
“Ciência Aberta has established itself as a major scientific dissemination festival where we were able to show that Brazil is active in science and can perform cutting-edge science if we have ongoing investment in human resources and infrastructure. By welcoming these thousands of people, we go beyond introducing CNPEM: we take on the responsibility and privilege of publicizing the role of Brazilian science as one of the pillars for a better future, stirring pride and optimism. The presence of Minister Luciana Santos and the entire delegation from the Ministry [of Science] at Ciência Aberta strengthens this important message,” said CNPEM Director General Antonio José Roque da Silva.
Visitors got a look behind the scenes of science in guided tours, workshops, lectures and immersive experiences, and talked directly to researchers and experts working in CNPEM’s laboratories
Social Impact
The Ciência Aberta event also reinforced its social and environmental commitment. During this year’s edition, 4.5 tons of non-perishable food donations were collected and directed to charities in the Campinas region.
Visitors used Teiús, a community currency created by CNPEM’s Seriema program to encourage sustainable activities, to purchase 1,500 plant seedlings, 2,000 packets of vegetable seeds and 500 kg of compost. The event also featured 6,200 square meters of tents and infrastructure specifically designed to provide visitor comfort and safety as well as interactivity.
About CNPEM
The Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) is home to a state-of-the-art, multi-user and multidisciplinary scientific environment and works on different fronts within the Brazilian National System for Science, Technology and Innovation. A social organization overseen by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), CNPEM is driven by research that impacts the areas of health, energy, renewable materials, and sustainability. It is responsible for Sirius, the largest assembly of scientific equipment constructed in the country, and is currently constructing Project Orion, a laboratory complex for advanced pathogen research. Highly specialized science and engineering teams, sophisticated infrastructure open to the scientific community, strategic lines of investigation, innovative projects involving the productive sector, and training for researchers and students are the pillars of this institution that is unique in Brazil and able to serve as a bridge between knowledge and innovation. CNPEM’s research and development activities are carried out through its four National Laboratories: Synchrotron Light (LNLS), Biosciences (LNBio), Nanotechnology (LNNano), Biorenewables (LNBR), as well as its Technology Unit (DAT) and the Ilum School of Science — an undergraduate program in Science and Technology supported by the Ministry of Education (MEC).
