USP opens registration for free astronomy project for girls

Girls from all over Brazil interested in science and astronomy can register until June 8th for the Astrominas project , promoted by the Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of São Paulo (USP).

The initiative is aimed at students between the ages of 14 and 17 enrolled in public or private schools throughout Brazil. The proposal is to offer basic training in science and astronomy content with the aim of encouraging more girls to enter scientific fields , considering the large gender disparity.

There are 400 vacancies in this edition and registrations can be made through an online form. The vacancies will be filled by drawing lots , according to the rules available on the internet.

The project activities are online, free of charge and will take place between July 12 and August 1, requiring a dedication of 3 to 4 hours per day. Students must have access to a device with internet access to watch the videos and participate in discussion groups (on WhatsApp ). Active participants in all mandatory activities will receive a digital certificate from USP.

Monitors, undergraduate and graduate students , and scientists from different fields – called “fairy godmothers” by the project – will lead the online activities and talk about their careers. This year, the novelty is that students who act as fairy godmothers will have their work recognized as academic credit.