Two first-grade classes from the Escola Básica do Parque das Nações took part in a session of the “Meeting with a Scientist” programme, dedicated to the theme “Minerals and Rocks in Our Daily Lives”, which took place at the Pavilhão do Conhecimento (Pavilion of Knowledge).

The session was led by Amélia Dionísio, Mining Engineer at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) and researcher at CERENA – Centre for Natural Resources and the Environment, accompanied by fellow researchers João Senra and Inês Ruivo.

The activity aimed to spark scientific curiosity in young students through an interactive and sensory approach. Throughout the session, pupils were invited to observe, touch, and even smell different samples of minerals and rocks, learning to distinguish them with the help of images and real materials.

The scientist began the session with simple questions, encouraging the children to reflect on what stones, rocks, and minerals are. In a playful and engaging way, key geoscience concepts were gradually introduced, such as the difference between a rock and a mineral, their chemical composition, and the crystalline structure that defines them.

The session concluded with an educational board game, which helped reinforce the knowledge acquired by having students identify everyday materials that contain rocks and minerals.

Once again, this activity showed that learning through play is possible — and that early contact with science can be a powerful tool for discovery and inspiration.