Five Finnish students, winners of the national Spring competition in Finland, visited MARE (Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre) and the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (FCUL) on June 17. Accompanied by Katariina Tonttila from the Children and Youth Foundation, the young students presented an innovative idea: ecological reflectors crafted from fish skin and scales, aimed at enhancing road safety in their country, where darkness prevails for many months of the year.
During the visit, the students explored the Algoteca – Alisu Laboratory, a living collection of microalgae coordinated by Ana Amorim, assistant professor at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon and curator of this laboratory. They had the opportunity to observe marine phytoplankton under the microscope and to explore the potential of algae in areas such as food, cosmetics, and biotechnology.
This visit fostered an exchange of experiences and demonstrated how the connection between youth, innovation, and research can pave the way for sustainable solutions with real impact.
