A group of 55 high school students from São Paulo participated in the Particle Therapy Masterclass (Particle Physics Masterclass), an international event held on March 26 and 27 at the University of São Paulo (USP), at the Institute of Physics (IFUSP) and the School of Medicine (FMUSP).
On the first day, the students attended theoretical lectures delivered by USP faculty. Prof. Roger Chammas (FMUSP) presented on cancer and its cellular biology, as well as on physics and technological advances applied to cancer. Prof. Paulo Costa (IFUSP) and Prof. Edilaine Honorio da Silva (IFUSP) discussed computed tomography as a diagnostic tool. Finally, Dr. Marcus Saad Rodrigues (Icesp) addressed planning for radiotherapy treatment.
In the afternoon, the teaching assistants Bárbara Penitente Santana, Vitor Almeida Premero, and Wagner Henrique Marques – all undergraduate students in the Medical Physics program at USP – demonstrated how to use matRad, a radiotherapy simulation software, and NCICT, a software for defining dosimetry in computed tomography (CT). The high school students were able to use the software and test their knowledge during the practical session.
On the second day, the students took part in presentations and an online quiz alongside groups of international students who carried out the same activities in other countries.
Throughout the event, the students learned how radiation affects the human body, how it is used in medical imaging and radiotherapy, and how different types of particles can be applied in cancer treatments. In addition, participants were introduced to practical aspects of the daily work of Medical Physics professionals.
This was the second edition of the event at USP, organized under the leadership of Prof. Paulo Costa. The following schools and teachers participated: Colégio Franciscano Pio XII, with Francisco Viana and assistant Júlia Conrado; Colégio Rio Branco, with Milka Souza and Renato Casemiro; Colégio Visconde de Porto Seguro, with Nara Miranda; Escola Gracinha, with Júlia Ogata; and Escola Lumiar Vila Olímpia, with Betina Alves.
High school teachers reflect on the experience with their students:
Betina Alves, a teacher at Escola Lumiar Vila Olímpia:
The Masterclass has a profound and multifaceted impact on students’ education. By experiencing the university environment—walking around campus, learning about its structure, laboratories, and academic routine—students begin to see public universities as concrete, accessible spaces full of possibilities, rather than something distant or abstract.
Direct contact with Medical Physics broadens interest in science by showing real-world applications of knowledge, connecting theory and practice in a more meaningful way. As they realize how science is present in areas such as diagnostic imaging, many students feel more motivated to consider careers in healthcare. In addition, the experience directly contributes to preparation for university entrance exams, as it strengthens the purpose of studying: students move beyond studying out of obligation and begin to understand knowledge as a tool for personal and social transformation. This also impacts career choices, since interaction with professionals, researchers, and university students broadens perspectives and helps clarify possible paths.
Another key aspect is the understanding that institutions such as USP offer some of the best opportunities for education, research, and development in the country. By experiencing this environment, students witness excellence, innovation, and social relevance firsthand, which transforms their worldview and future perspectives.
Francisco Viana, a teacher at Colégio Franciscano Pio XII:
Participation in the program promotes more active and meaningful learning by allowing direct contact with real data and scientific practices. This experience develops critical thinking, autonomy, and analytical skills, while also encouraging collaboration and communication. As a result, many students increase their interest in scientific fields and become better prepared to face academic and professional challenges, with a broader and more investigative view of the world. All students felt motivated and aware of future possibilities!
Nara Miranda, a teacher at Colégio Visconde de Porto Seguro:
Participating in the Masterclass is a multifaceted experience. It provides students with opportunities related to entrance exam preparation, career choice, interest in science, and contact with public universities. The activity allows students to engage with science by experiencing a reality they do not always have access to at school. When they work with tools such as simulators, they take on a leading role, which is essential in Inquiry-Based Science Education. In addition, students are introduced to scientific advances and how they are directly linked to technological developments of our time. This contributes to the formation of critical citizens who understand the role of science in society. Finally, contact with public universities allows students to see them as they truly are—they can be inspired and aspire to become part of that environment.
The Particle Therapy Masterclass was offered as part of the International Masterclasses program, organized by the International Particle Physics Outreach Group (IPPOG) and coordinated by the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH (Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research).
