It was the first time that science had been used as a theme in the carnival, but the decision to be imaginative paid off, according to Fátima Brito, head of Casa da Ciência, part of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

"At first, most people thought that science was too complex to be used as theme in the carnival," she says. "Science communication professionals need to look for different avenues for science communication that bring together science, art and culture".