Outreach

Thursday, November 8th, among the exhibitors will be a group of eighth grade students showing their marine robotics project.

This project was developed, in collaboration with LSTS under activities promoted by Escola Azul, an entity aiming to promote several kinds of activities related to the ocean and sea throughout schools in Portugal.

About the school

Escola Secundária de Santa Maria Maior

Escola Secundária de Santa Maria Maior is located on the outskirts of Viana do Castelo, a small town in the north of the country. It is part of Agrupamento de Escolas de Santa Maria Maior, covering a primary school, a school teaching from the fifth to the ninth grades and our school, which guarantees secondary education. Our school is attended by 877 students, taught by 92 teachers. The group of schools which form the "Agrupamento" are attended on the whole by 1664 students, taught by 182 teachers. Our students range from ages 6 to 18. The graduates show quite high results in the final national exams, as a matter of fact above the national average.

The aim of our school is to educate active, autonomous and responsible European citizens who value the national and the European heritage.

Besides academic progress and a focus on global learning of foreign languages, our school is willing to participate in international projects, as they are an inestimable source of knowledge, which enhances individual development.

Our students are very willing to be part of exchange programs which make them aware of their European citizenship.

Because of the serious economic crisis in our country, most part of the students have no such possibility within their families and would highly benefit from experiencing the cultural diversity offered by this project. It will allow them to be aware of the social, educational and cultural diversity surrounding them as European citizens. This is the basis for consistently taking active part in future life and decisions based on acquired knowledge and experience.

Protecting and preserving our national identity and heritage, alongside with educating active and effective citizens, who respect each other's individuality and culture and become tolerant human beings are our most important goals, as partners in this partnership.