LAJES DO PICO, Azores — In a place where volcanic landscapes meet the Atlantic’s vast horizon, science found a way to speak directly to the community.

From April 20 to 24, the Municipality of Lajes do Pico, in partnership with the local elementary and secondary school, hosted the fourth edition of the Lajes do Pico Science and Technology Meeting—an initiative designed to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and everyday life, with a special focus on engaging younger generations.

Over four days, the event brought together scientists, researchers, and specialists from a range of disciplines for a dynamic program of lectures, workshops, and training sessions. The goal was not only to inform, but to inspire—creating space for curiosity, dialogue, and critical thinking among students and the broader community.

At the opening session, the mayor of Lajes do Pico underscored a central challenge of the modern age: in a world saturated with information, what remains rare is “a curiosity that does not fade when answers take time.” The message was clear—education must go beyond access to information and cultivate the ability to question, understand, and transform.

She emphasized that the island’s future will not be decided elsewhere. “It is decided here,” she said—within classrooms, laboratories, and the exchanges between students and researchers. The municipality, she noted, has a responsibility to ensure access not only to knowledge, but to the tools and questions that shape it.

The program reflected the island’s unique position as both a natural laboratory and a cultural landscape. Topics ranged from marine archaeology and satellite-based whale detection to cancer prevention, artificial intelligence, and volcanism. The diversity of subjects highlighted the deep connection between science, territory, and identity.

“This island is not just beautiful—it is a unique natural laboratory,” the mayor said, encouraging young people to explore and understand the environment they call home.

The opening day featured hands-on workshops and lectures, including a presentation by Professor José Bettencourt on maritime archaeology, which guided participants through underwater heritage and its role in understanding humanity’s relationship with the sea. Another highlight came from Dr. Joaquim Melo of the AIR Centre, who demonstrated how satellite imagery is being used to detect and monitor cetaceans, illustrating the growing role of technology in environmental conservation.

On the evening of April 21, the Arts and Marine Sciences Center hosted discussions focused on health and well-being. Dr. Carlos Mavioso presented a comprehensive overview of breast cancer—its past, present, and future—addressing advances in early detection and ongoing research. Dr. Gonçalo Contente followed with a talk on nutrition’s role in cancer prevention, emphasizing how everyday choices can shape long-term health outcomes.

The following day, cognitive scientist Dr. Jorge Amorim explored adolescent brain development, focusing on executive functions such as decision-making, self-control, and emotional regulation—offering insights into one of the most critical stages of human growth.

Artificial intelligence also took center stage during training sessions led by Dr. Joaquim Trovão, who examined both the opportunities and ethical challenges posed by rapidly evolving technologies. Parallel sessions on the geological landscapes of the Azores, led by Dr. Paulino Costa, reinforced the importance of integrating local volcanic heritage into educational frameworks.

Meanwhile, students engaged directly with science through the construction of underwater robots—an initiative that combined teamwork, creativity, and applied learning in STEM fields, particularly those connected to the ocean.

The event concluded with a cultural celebration at the Arts and Marine Sciences Center, featuring performances by Bárbara Maximino and Simão Pereira, as well as the Chamarrita School of the Filarmónica Liberdade Lajense—an ending that underscored the harmony between knowledge, culture, and identity.

In closing, the Municipality of Lajes do Pico expressed its gratitude to all participants—speakers, educators, students, technicians, families, and partners—who collectively made the event possible.

More than a series of lectures, the gathering reaffirmed a commitment: to science, to education, and to building a future that is informed, critical, and sustainable—rooted in the realities of the island, yet open to the wider world.

Translated and adapted from Press Release.