National Week of Science and Technology 2026: “Woman in Science” highlights the role of women scientists

From October 27 to November 1, the 23rd National Week of Science and Technology (SNCT) will take place at the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, featuring a program dedicated to science communication. This year, the theme “Woman in Science” highlights the trajectories, discoveries, and contributions of women who have helped build scientific knowledge.

Coordinated by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the SNCT brings together initiatives from institutions across the country. At the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, the program is diverse and aimed at different audiences, featuring workshops, games, trails, guided visits, lectures, discussions, exhibitions, and hands-on experiences.

The program highlights the trajectories of women who have played important roles in the history of science and botany. Among them are botanist Graziela Barroso, one of the first women to gain prominence in Brazil’s scientific community; German naturalist Maria Sibylla Merian, a pioneer in the study and documentation of insect metamorphosis; Maria Werneck de Castro, one of Brazil’s leading scientific illustrators; and botanical artist Margaret Mee, who undertook 15 expeditions to the Amazon and became a leading figure in 20th-century botanical art.

Women, Memory, and Conservation

The relationship between science, conservation, and memory is present throughout several activities. “Their Science in the JBRJ’s Memory” explores the role of preserving collections in the production of scientific knowledge, with a visit to the Collection and Memory Warehouse, an exhibition of documents, and a lecture. The activity highlights the careers of scientists such as Graziela Barroso and Maria Bandeira and also addresses Marie Curie’s visit to the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden.

The conservation of Brazilian flora is the focus of “Women Who Conserve,” presented by the National Center for Flora Conservation (CNCFlora), with an interactive activity highlighting the contributions of female researchers and species named in their honor. “Art in Botanical Science – Women Artists” presents watercolor and graphite works depicting vulnerable and threatened species from Brazilian biomes, using women’s art as a tool to raise awareness about conservation.

The program also includes the discussions “Women Who Care for Life – Science, Biodiversity, and Health Promotion,” “Botany by Women – History, Current Issues, and Perspectives,” and “Ethnobotany with Open Doors – Intercultural Dialogues Among Women.” The discussions address topics such as the relationship between human health and ecosystems, the conservation of Brazilian flora, and the dialogue between academic knowledge and traditional knowledge maintained by women.

Science to Experience and Discover

Among the activities, visitors will be able to explore science as it relates to everyday situations. In “From Plant to Perfume – Discover the Science of Fragrances,” participants will learn about aroma extraction processes using natural products, with laboratory demonstrations and sensory experiences. The activity also highlights women’s contributions to perfumery, chemistry, and botany, including Germaine Cellier, Alice Ball, and Janaki Ammal.

The program also includes “No Pollinators, No Food,” which uses a basket of food to demonstrate the importance of pollination services to agriculture and the impacts of threats to pollinators.

Those who want to get hands-on can take part in “Pigmentarte – Natural Pigment Extraction,” which presents ways of producing and using natural paints from roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits collected in the Arboretum. Another option is the “Botanical Drawing Workshop,” a recreational activity introducing artistic and botanical concepts through drawings of native flowers and leaves.

The workshop “Playful Mini-Herbarium Specimen – Getting to Know the Myrtaceae with Graziela Barroso” proposes creating a didactic herbarium specimen to teach concepts of plant morphology and taxonomy and the role of herbaria. The quiz “Which Scientist Would You Be?” uses artificial intelligence to match participants’ interests with the profile of a scientist from the collection, generating a personalized profile card.

Science Outdoors

The Botanical Garden’s Arboretum will also serve as a space for investigation and discovery. One of the activities is “Exploring the Botanical Garden with Graziela Barroso,” a recreation of the historic itinerary for taxonomic identification and science communication originally created by botanist Graziela Barroso.

The “Women’s Trail” offers a guided tour of the Arboretum, highlighting the role of women who have shaped the history of science, conservation, and the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden.

“Carbon Detectives – Investigating the Trees of the Arboretum” is a field activity focused on measuring trees to estimate the amount of carbon stored in them.

Another activity, “Native Stingless Bees – Nests and Flavors,” takes participants to the meliponary to observe nectar and pollen collection, learn about the nests, and take part in a honey tasting.

For children, the game “Lali Sisters at the Garden” offers a playful 2D adventure through the Arboretum, herbarium, and greenhouses of the Botanical Garden, introducing concepts related to environmental conservation. “Brazilian Praying Mantises – Diversity in Tropical Forests” uses live specimens of camouflaged insects to explore the life cycle and diversity of species from the Amazon and Atlantic Forest.

During the SNCT, the annual Friday Trails program will also be offered, with participants earning stamps toward the “Trail Explorer” journey in the Botanical Garden Passport.

Over the weekend, the program continues with botanical games and guided tours of the Botanical Garden Museum. The tour features the exhibitions “Much More Than a Garden,” “BioOCAnomia Amazônica,” “Ser(tão),” and the “Women in Science” exhibition, expanding visitors’ contact with different ways of producing, preserving, and communicating knowledge.

The “Women in Science” exhibition, which honors scientists Graziela Barroso and Marie Curie, features images and information about the Franco-Polish scientist’s visit to Brazil, a pioneer in research on radioactivity and the application of X-rays in medicine. It also features photographs, documents, instruments used on expeditions, and herbarium specimens—pressed and dried plant samples—collected by internationally renowned botanist Graziela Maciel Barroso.

The 23rd SNCT will also feature Prevfogo/Ibama, with an exhibition and interactive activities highlighting the importance of preventing and fighting forest fires. Embrapa Soils will also participate with a lecture on the importance of soils, water, and biodiversity for food and environmental security and their relationship with climate change.

The launch of the children’s and young adult book “Luana Discovers the Garden,” written by Ana Alfaia Lagos, Cristiane Tavares, and Maryane Saisse and illustrated by Bruna Assis Brasil, is also part of the Week’s program. The book explores the experience of children and teenagers visiting the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, seeking to encourage interest in science and knowledge and raise awareness of environmental issues, with an emphasis on the importance of preserving the institution.

See the complete program, including dates and times for all activities, here.

Service: 23rd National Week of Science and Technology at JBRJ – Woman in Science: Women in Biodiversity Conservation and Transforming the Future
Date: Tuesday, October 27 to Sunday, November 1
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rua Jardim Botânico, 1008