frequently asked questions

Not at all! ALPHA was designed for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students, with content, methods and schedules adapted to your age. If you're interested in science, mathematics or technology, this is the ideal time to explore these areas in an engaging and fun way.

Just as many young people participate in activities like sports or music, we believe science should be accessible to those who have a passion for it. At ALPHA, you will be able to:

• Explore Sciences: Dive into disciplines like Physics, Biology and Chemistry through hands-on experiments and analysis of scientific articles.
• Get started in Computing: Learn programming and how science and engineering solve problems with computers.
• Develop Personal Skills: Learn to manage time, study effectively and develop autonomy and resilience.
• Meet Peers with Similar Interests: Collaborate with other students on scientific projects.

It's important to remember that participating in ALPHA doesn't mean you have to pursue a career in science or engineering. Just as someone who plays football doesn't have to be an athlete, ALPHA gives you experiences that can help you discover what really excites you.

After ALPHA, you can:

• Deepen Knowledge: Continue in programs like ATLAS for 8th to 12th grade.
• Explore New Interests: Apply what you've learned to other areas that spark your curiosity.

For parents, ALPHA is not "more school". It's an engaging environment where learning happens naturally, through dynamic projects and group work, without the pressure of traditional assessments.

In summary, this is the perfect time to start this journey. If you're fascinated by Mathematics, Biology or the Universe, ALPHA is the ideal place for you!

The ALPHA program requires a weekly commitment of approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, divided into two phases:

• - Phase 1: Autonomous Learning – About 1 hour per week. Students study new content at their own pace using the Alpha platform, exploring videos, texts and quizzes that introduce the topics to be worked on.
• - Phase 2: Collaborative Session – A weekly session of 2 hours and 30 minutes (in-person or online, with a 15-minute break). Students meet on Saturdays, in the morning (10am to 12:30pm) or in the afternoon (3pm to 5:30pm), to clarify doubts and deepen knowledge with instructors, reinforcing what they learned autonomously.

Weekly sessions alternate between in-person and online in a hybrid model: odd weeks are in-person at Instituto Superior Técnico (Alameda or Taguspark) and even weeks are online. Participation in all eleven sessions of each quarter (6 in-person and 5 online) is mandatory.

ALPHA is a two-year program, divided into six 11-week quarters. This structure was carefully designed to offer a continuous and progressive experience, where each quarter deepens and expands on the knowledge acquired in the previous one.

Participating in ALPHA for two years allows you to:

• Learn without rushing: Deepen content gradually, ensuring solid understanding of scientific and mathematical concepts.
• Explore Various Areas: Have time to discover and dive into different disciplines, from Physics and Biology to Computing and advanced Mathematics.
• Develop Good Habits: Cultivate effective study techniques, time and project management, skills that require practice and consistency over time.
• Make Friends and Build Relationships: Create bonds with peers who share your interests, strengthening the sense of community and collaboration.
• Participate in Enriching Discussions: Address not only technical topics, but also questions of History, Ethics and Society, broadening your view of the world and science's role in it.
• Discover Your Passions: Have time to realize which areas really excite you, being able to pursue more advanced programs or specialize in specific topics in the future.

We know that a two-year commitment may seem long, but enrollment is done quarter by quarter, offering flexibility for you and your family to evaluate continuation at each stage. Even if you choose to participate in just one quarter, you will already benefit from a rich and meaningful experience. However, continuity allows you to make the most of everything ALPHA has to offer.

Think of ALPHA as a journey, similar to learning a musical instrument or practicing a sport. No one becomes a master overnight; it's through continuous dedication that great results are achieved. Similarly, ALPHA provides you with an environment where you can grow, learn and evolve over time.

Additionally, upon completing the program, you'll have the opportunity to advance to more advanced programs, such asATLAS, for 8th to 12th grade students. Here, you can further deepen your knowledge and explore in detail the areas you became passionate about during ALPHA.

The final date for applications to the ALPHA program is September 21. However, we strongly encourage interested parties to submit their application as early as possible.

Additionally, candidates who apply early allow us to process applications more quickly, which may result in a faster response. Although the final deadline is September 21, we guarantee that all candidates will receive a response by July 15. However, the earlier you apply, the greater the likelihood of getting a response before that date.

Alpha's first classes begin on October 4 or 11 (depending on the Calendar). Therefore, we will try to respond to applications as quickly as possible, especially for those who apply before the deadline.

Finally, although the number of available spots is limited at this stage, we plan to open new classes soon. Part of the future spots will be reserved for students who applied now but didn't get a spot in this phase.

The ALPHA program is intended for all students enrolled in 6th, 7th or 8th grade in the 2025/2026 school year who have a strong interest and motivation in the areas of Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology. Although there are no specific academic prerequisites, priority will be given to students with better achievement in Science and Mathematics subjects.

Proficiency in Portuguese is mandatory. English is not required, but it is expected that over the two years of the program, students will acquire basic knowledge of this language, considered essential in the scientific world. No prior programming experience is required.

Additionally, candidates must commit to participating in all eleven program sessions—6 in-person and 5 online—and dedicating one hour per week to autonomous learning. Applications are made individually by the student and their guardian, without school intervention, and must be submitted through the TreeTree2 application platform by September 21, 2025.