José Mariano Gago was a Portuguese minister who fought to bring science to the people and bring people to science. He worked with teachers to open up school labs and create science centers to make science more accessible. His goal was to have scientists take their instruments into communities to spark interest and make science engaging for people of all backgrounds. Under his leadership, Portugal opened 20 Ciência Viva science centers that received over 4 million visitors.

1. José Mariano Gago.
Who he was
What he did

2. Fight scientific ignorance.
Work with the teachers at the schools.
Open up the labs to the people
Create science centres
Bring science to people.
Bring people to science.

3. Pick up your telescopes and
your scientific instruments
and go out and meet
people,
on the beaches and on the
mountains,
in the cities and in the
countryside.

5. Lisboa, EXPO 98

6. Lisboa, EXPO 98

7. Lisboa, EXPO 98

8. “a minister who, being a minister of science,
was able to change education“
Mafalda Lapa, a high school biology teacher

9. CIENCIA VIVA | PORTUGAL 20 Science Centres | 4 million visitors

10. Question:
How many Ciência Viva science centers should
be made in Portugal?
“As many as needed”

11. “No one knows enough to do everything by
himself or herself”
José Mariano Gago