Little Big Scientists: introducing pharmacology concepts to elementary school students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5007/1807-0221.2026.e105212Keywords:
Science Laboratory, Scientific Outreach, Education, Pharmacology, Scientific MethodAbstract
University outreach takes academic knowledge beyond institutional boundaries, enriching students’ education through practical experiences and social engagement. The outreach project "Little Big Scientists" aims to provide experiences based on active learning methodologies to introduce science and the role of the scientist to elementary school students. Through activities and experiments that stimulate cooperative learning, the project allowed children, by experiencing a day as scientists, to see themselves as protagonists of their own learning process, fostering autonomy, critical thinking, and supporting their overall development. Undergraduate and graduate students involved in the project developed science communication materials that were used during the activities. Positive feedback from the elementary students was, in most cases, immediate. It is hoped that the young participants will become great scientists in the future, and that the undergraduate and graduate students involved will continue to value extension as an essential part of their academic journey.
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