Native Scientists

Native Scientists is an award-winning pan-European non-profit organisation connecting children and scientists in underserved communities. Our vision consists in a world where every child can reach their full potential, no matter what their background is. Our mission is to broaden the horizons of children from underserved communities by connecting them with scientists and promoting scientific literacy and equitable education. Native Scientists was founded in 2013, in the United Kingdom, by two Portuguese scientists, Joana Moscoso and Tatiana Correia. Since then, Native’s goals are to reduce inequalities in access to science and quality education and promote scientific literacy. The organisation does this mainly through two educational programmes: the “Same Migrant Community” Programme, connecting children and scientists from the same migrant community or who speak the same heritage language; and the “Same Hometown” Programme, connecting children and scientists from the same hometown in Portugal. Native Scientists' programmes were inspired by the Science Capital Teaching Approach (SCTA) methodology, from Professor Louise Archer (King’s College London). This method does not see students as an empty vessel that needs to be filled with content; and sees science as a vehicle for promoting social justice. The focus is on creating meaningful connections with science and generating positive memories, using the interaction with “real” and relatable scientists, where children are co-creators in acquiring knowledge and developing critical thinking through experimentation. Both programmes are therefore premised on establishing common ground, which can be found in a shared heritage language, culture, or socioeconomic background The Same Migrant Community Programme currently runs in several European countries. It joins children (ages 8-14) and scientists from the same migrant community to speak about science in their heritage language and do hands-on science activities, increasing their interest in science and their sense of belonging in STEM. This programme is Native Scientists' oldest endeavour, with several impact stories to share, and it was awarded several times: with the prestigious UNESCO’s King Sejong Literacy Prize (2022) and with the New European Bauhaus (2023). In 2021, Native Scientists was established in Portugal, where it started running a new education programme, called “Cientista Regressa à Escola” (“Scientist Returns to School”, in translation; for practical reasons, called Same Hometown Programme). This programme promotes the return of Portuguese scientists to their former primary schools , to develop hands-on science workshop with fourth-grade children.. The programme is an innovation on the Portuguese context, as it makes use of the SCTA method and combines it with the innovative concept of Circular Education. In a nationwide context, the programme has been awarded by Prémios Ciência Viva 2024 and Portugal Inovação Social. Besides the two educational programmes, Native Scientists also delivers bespoke projects and training on science communication, partnering up with entities aligned with its mission and values. The organisation has been working to change the paradigm in STEM, making science more accessible, diverse and inclusive for all.