Women in science: a case report of the ‘My summer at Fiocruz’ project

Abstract

From January to February of 2020, the ‘My summer at Fiocruz’ project was carried out at the Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), an Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) unit located in the state of Pernambuco, whose aim was to allow girls from public high schools to access the institution’s laboratories
in order to develop short scientific research projects, and additionally, to debate the theme of the feminist struggle to reduce gender and race inequality in the field of science. This article is a case study about the project. The project was publicized by the Feminist Observatory of the Northeast at eight schools, the application for selection was done by sending one-minute videos, and the mentoring was carried out by women researchers from five IAM laboratories. In total, 12 girls were selected, who attended the laboratories from January to February 2020. The project culminated with an event held at the institution on February 11, 2020, the date on which the International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated.