About the project
Rheo4Kids is an extension project of GReo – PUC-Rio Rheology Group, supported by the Society of Rheology (SOR), whose mission is to bring children and teenagers closer to the scientific universe through practical, accessible and engaging experiences. We work with workshops, visits, lectures and participation in school events, always valuing experimentation as a learning tool. The project seeks to awaken interest in science and engineering in a creative way, promoting activities that connect students' daily lives to scientific concepts in a meaningful way.
Interactive experimental workshops
We bring to schools a series of hands-on experiments using simple and safe materials. Below are some examples:
Mixing cornstarch and water ("oobleck"): a fluid that feels solid when touched and flows like a liquid when still
Flow of ketchup and honey: comparison of viscosities
Elephant toothpaste: chemical reaction that produces foam
Homemade slime: observation of elasticity and deformation
Layers of liquids with different densities
Simulation of flow in pipes (viscous pendulum, circulation)
The workshops can be held in classrooms, courtyards, sports courts, or school fairs. Topics are adapted to the age group and the time available.
Activities adapted to the school curriculum
We collaborate with teachers to align the workshop content with the topics being covered in class. We are flexible and can adapt the experiments to the pedagogical goals of each group. Some examples:
Classes studying the circulatory system: flow simulations using colored liquids in tubes
Students learning about petroleum: experiments with different oils and mixtures that simulate flow, phase separation, and viscosity
Other possibilities include: states of matter, forces, mixtures, substance transformation, and more.
Talks and conversations with students
We offer interactive talks tailored to the students’ age group, covering topics such as:
The science in our daily lives
What is engineering?
Careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
Women in engineering
These talks can complement workshops or be offered independently.
Visits to PUC-Rio
We welcome school groups to the PUC-Rio campus for immersive activities. The visit includes:
Presentation of the project
Demonstrations of experiments in the laboratories
Conversation with students and researchers
Tour of the GReo facilities
Hands-on and playful activities
One-day experiential internship
Participation in science fairs
We can participate as guests at school fairs, offering:
Booths with interactive experiments
Quick workshops for visiting audiences
Support in mentoring and evaluating school projects
Photo Gallery
Follow here the records of visits to schools, fairs, and workshops held. This section shows a bit of what we have already done with students of different ages and school backgrounds.
Testimonials and experiences
The activities of Rheo4Kids have generated spontaneous and valuable feedback from students, teachers, and school administrators. These testimonials help reinforce the positive impact of the project and inspire new partnerships:
Recipes and Instructions
In this section, we provide recipes, materials, and instructions so that teachers and students can reproduce in the classroom some of the experiments presented in the workshops. The files are organized by topic and include safety tips and teaching suggestions.
Our team
The project is carried out by a multidisciplinary team made up of faculty, researchers, technicians, and university students committed to science outreach and basic education:
- Mônica Naccache
- Priscilla Varges
- Eliana Marín
- Lorena Moraes
- Tiphane Figueira
- Vanessa Picoli
- Matheus Xavier
Contact
If you are a teacher, coordinator, or responsible for a school and wish to schedule an activity, please get in touch with us: rheo4kids@puc-rio.br