Degree: Doctor

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FCUP

Bio

Carla Morais has a degree in Chemistry, a Master in Multimedia Education, a Ph.D. and a Habilitation in Science Education and Communication from the Faculty of Science of the University of Porto (FCUP). She is an Assistant Professor with Habilitation and member of the Science Education Unit at the same Faculty. She is an integrated member of the Chemistry Research Centre of the University of Porto (CIQUP), where she coordinates the research group “RG5: Education, Science Communication and Society” and she is also a member of the Associated Laboratory Institute of Molecular Sciences (IMS), where integrates the thematic research line “LT: CHEMfocus (fundamentals and awareness)”. She is the director of the Doctoral Program in Science Education and Communication. She has supervised or co-supervised numerous dissertations in the areas of Science Education and Communication (Chemistry) and Educational Technology. She is engaged, as a trainer, in the development of courses on Continuing Education for teachers. She has published articles in national and international journals and has presented lectures in schools, conferences, and scientific meetings in the field of Chemistry Education and Communication and the use of educational technologies. She is a co-author of textbooks, popular science books, and educational software for Chemistry and Physics teaching. Her areas of interest include professional development and pedagogic practices for Physics and Chemistry teachers; Communication models and processes for scientific knowledge and the involvement and participation of citizens in Science; technological and digital ecologies in Science Education and Communication.

Publications
Showing 5 latest publications. Total publications: 85
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1. STEM Education in Chemistry: A Collaborative Approach for Conducting Remote Laboratory Activities, Araújo, JL Morais, C in REVISTA EUREKA SOBRE ENSENANZA Y DIVULGACION DE LAS CIENCIAS, 2025, ISSN: 1697-011X,  Volume: 22, 
Article,  Indexed in: crossref, unpaywall, wos  DOI: 10.25267/rev_eureka_ensen_divulg_cienc.2025.v22.i1.1201 P-018-81A
Abstract The high costs of equipment and maintenance for Chemistry laboratories are a barrier to quality education in this science. However, the emergence of user-friendly and low-cost technological tools helps to mitigate this problem. This paper presents a STEM proposal for exploring distillation collaboratively in a remote laboratory with live data transmission and sharing online. The approach was analyzed by four teachers from Mozambique who, in that context, highlighted the positive potential for knowledge exchange between schools and cultures and the negative lack of technological means in schools for its implementation. They recognize great potential for implementation in higher education, as institutions have better resources. Thus, richer learning experiences can be promoted for all participants.

2. A New Proposal for Inquiry Activity Using a Low-Cost Remote Acid-Base Titration, Cachichi, RC; Aviles, IEC; Barbosa, MF; Morais, CSL Girotto, GG Jr; Galembeck, E in JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION, 2025, ISSN: 0021-9584,  Volume: 102, 
Review,  Indexed in: crossref, scopus, unpaywall, wos  DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.4c01006 P-018-ACX
Abstract An acid-base titrator connected to the Internet was developed for conducting remote investigative experiments. The experiment was broadcasted in a high school senior classroom, with the presence of a facilitating teacher. The activity required students to determine the indicator present in the solution. To carry out the activity, students added acid or base to sweep the pH range from 0 to 14 and noted the corresponding coloration to the pH through video analysis. The results obtained were very satisfactory, both in the identification of the indicator and in the acceptance and engagement of the students in the activity.

3. Ocean Science Coverage in Digital Journals in Portugal, Setlik, J; Morais, C dos Santos, E in ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNICATION-A JOURNAL OF NATURE AND CULTURE, 2025, ISSN: 1752-4032, 
Article in Press,  Indexed in: crossref, scopus, unpaywall, wos  DOI: 10.1080/17524032.2025.2490077 P-018-HGJ
Abstract This study applies agenda-setting theory to examine how ocean-related topics are emphasized in Portuguese digital journalism. We analyze media content from three online newspapers - Expresso, P & uacute;blico, and Jornal de Neg & oacute;cios - between 2010 and 2023, focusing on themes such as deep-sea exploration and the Ocean Decade. Using text mining techniques, we identify dominant thematic priorities in media discourse, specifically the prominence of Economic, Political, Scientific, and Environmental themes. Our findings reveal a rising trend in ocean-related publications, with economic narratives being dominant, particularly in Jornal de Neg & oacute;cios, while P & uacute;blico places more emphasis on scientific and environmental discussions. The Ocean Decade is framed positively across all three outlets, whereas deep-sea mining is approached with a more cautious tone. By highlighting shifts in media emphasis, this study contributes to discussions on how journalistic coverage influences the visibility of ocean issues, reinforcing the role of the press in shaping the media agenda of environmental and scientific discourse.

4. How to Use the Three Faces of Chemical Knowledge—Experiences, Models, and Visualizations—in Creating Educational Animations, J. D. Nascimento Júnior, W; Girotto Júnior, G; Muniz de Lacerda Mirada, P; Morais, C in Learning and Analytics in Intelligent Systems - 2024 Yearbook Emerging Technologies in Learning, 2025, ISSN: 2662-3447, 
Book Chapter,  Indexed in: crossref  DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-80388-8_16 P-018-WF0

5. LABORATORY ELECTROCHEMISTRY MYSTERY BOX: FROM PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS' OBSERVATIONS TO INFERENCES THROUGH PREDICT-OBSERVE-EXPLAIN STRATEGY, Morais, C André, C Alves, J; Girotto, G Jr in QUIMICA NOVA, 2025, ISSN: 0100-4042,  Volume: 48, 
Article,  Indexed in: crossref, wos  DOI: 10.21577/0100-4042.20250077 P-017-GAF
Abstract Given the challenges associated with understanding electrochemistry content by engaging in prediction, observation, and explanation, laboratory activities can foster active participation and critical thinking, enabling individuals to proactively confront and revise their understanding. Since pre-service teachers should gain firsthand experience with predict-observe-based on a predict-observe-explain strategy, we propose a laboratory activity presented as a mystery box related to concentration cells coupled with an Arduino-based electronic data measurement system to identify how pre-service chemistry teachers move from observations to inferences in a qualitative research. Data was collected by written records and oral explanations during the practical interactions. Results suggest that the proposed laboratory activity allows pre-service chemistry teachers to access data and correct inferences related to electrochemistry content, promoting critical thinking. Data also showed a connection between the macroscopic and symbolic domains, and pre-service teachers recognized concepts associated with the activity, such as solution conductivity and the potential difference in chemical reactions, interpreting the system with prior knowledge, like electron flow direction and concentration cell components. However, additional strategies are needed for detailed and consistent observation and inference recording, enhancing the potential of such activities in favoring electrochemistry education in high schools.