2nd Island Congress · Looking to the Future

The Island Congress returns for its second edition, this time on the theme "Looking to the Future – Innovating in Teaching Practice". Over two days, education, social care and health professionals, students, researchers and families share practice, research and ideas for tomorrow's schools and nurseries.

The congress aims to bring the work done in the Azores closer to the national and international scientific community, showcase the Region's educational projects and practice, and promote innovation and social cohesion in island communities.

Themes

• Diversity in teaching: from Waldorf education to Forest School and the HighScope approach.
• Experimental science across the curriculum: bringing science to children from the early years.
• Engaging to include: participation, intercultural education and the integration of immigrant pupils.
• Skills and inclusion: inclusive education, social and emotional skills and the role of the family.

Programme

All talks are given in Portuguese. Titles are shown in the original.

Friday 16 October

• 09:00 – Registration
• 09:30 – Opening session with Sandra Serpa, President of Olhar Poente, and representatives of the regional government and local authorities
• 10:00 – Talks, "Diversidade Pedagógica": Juliana Nogueira and Leiriane Sanches, "A Pedagogia Waldorf na Escola Pública: Experiências e Desafios na Escola Municipal Cecília Meireles (Brasil)"; Margarida Pedrosa, "Escola da Floresta: Uma lufada de ar fresco na educação"; Margarida Rodrigues, "O Modelo HighScope e abordagem da Escola Raiz"
• 10:45 – Coffee break
• 11:15 – Panel, "Modelos Pedagógicos na Prática", with the morning speakers, Catarina Antunes ("Projeto Raízes Pequenas") and Teresa Aguiar ("Modelos pedagógicos explorados na Olhar Poente")
• 12:45 – Lunch
• 14:00 – Talks, "O Papel das Ciências Experimentais na Educação das Crianças": Rita Ferreira, "Posso ser Cientista?: desmistificar as ciências experimentais na infância"; João Miranda, "Sentir os saberes e colher aprendizagens"; Prof. João Paiva, "A transversalidade das ciências experimentais nas crianças"
• 14:45 – Panel, "Descomplicar as Ciências Experimentais", with the afternoon speakers and Prof. Cláudio Gomes ("O erro como parte do processo de aprendizagem")
• 16:15 – Posters and short papers
• 16:45 – Close of day one
• 17:15 – Workshops

Saturday 17 October

• 09:00 – Welcome
• 09:30 – Talks, "Envolver para incluir": Mónica Pacheco, "Participação que inclui: Direito e Ação"; Andreia Ferreira, "Acolher para aprender: integração, pertença e sucesso escolar de alunos imigrantes"; Prof. Ana Luísa Martinho, "Inteligência Cultural em Contextos Pedagógicos: Desafios e Estratégias para a Interculturalidade"
• 10:40 – Coffee break
• 11:00 – Panel, "A diversidade no sucesso escolar", with the morning speakers, Elisabete Maciel ("Programa EPIS: olhar a região") and Leoter Viegas, President of AIPA ("Perspetivas e Estratégias da Integração nos Açores")
• 12:45 – Lunch
• 14:00 – Talks, "Competências e inclusão": Filomena Pereira, "Ou É Inclusiva ou Não é Educação"; Prof. Raquel Raimundo, "Devagar se Vai ao Longe: Promoção de Competências Socioemocionais em alunos do 1.º e 2.º ciclos"; Luís Águeda, "Desafios partilhados – estratégias de aproximação e de mobilização de jovens, família, escola e comunidade"
• 14:45 – Panel, "Aceitar e desenvolver", with the afternoon speakers, Filipa Miranda ("O luto em vida: da perda à adaptação") and Margarete Toste ("O impacto do diagnóstico na família")
• 16:15 – Closing session, with a lecture by Prof. Carlos Neto, "Importância do brincar e do jogo no desenvolvimento da criança", closing remarks by the President of Olhar Poente and a musical performance by the children of Olhar Poente

Workshops

The workshops take place on Friday 16 October at 17:15. They are in person only, places are limited and each participant can sign up for one workshop only.

• Developing social and emotional skills, with Prof. Raquel Raimundo
• The importance of play in children's cognitive and emotional development, with Prof. Raíssa Santos
• Developing parenting skills, with Carmen Gonçalves

Tickets

Tickets are on sale from Ticketline (a booking fee is added to the prices below):

• In person, one day (16 or 17 October): €25
• In person, two-day pack: €45
• Online, two days: €45
• Workshop: €5 (separate ticket)

Accreditation for teachers

The congress is accredited as continuing professional development for teachers by Order no. 1853/2026 of 6 August, worth 0.5 credit units (article 216 of the Teaching Career Statute, approved by Regional Legislative Decree no. 23/2023/A). To receive the credits, fill in the accreditation form.

Organisers and supporters

Organised by Olhar Poente – Associação Desenvolvimento, with the support of the Municipality of Praia da Vitória, the parish councils of Biscoitos and São Bartolomeu de Regatos, and FLAD – Luso-American Development Foundation. Under the High Patronage of the President of the Portuguese Republic.