The National Science Education Network (RNEC) was idealized and created by the effort and dedication of Professor Leopoldo de Meis. Son of Italian parents, came to Brazil as a child. He graduated in Medicine from UFRJ in 1961. He studied abroad, returned to UFRJ where he became a full professor of Medical Biochemistry. In 1985, he began his work in science education in underserved communities. With support from Fundação Vitae, after FINEP and CAPES, he created RNEC, formed by 32 research groups from 20 institutions in 14 states of the federation. De Meis left an extraordinary scientific and humanistic legacy. RNEC has enabled the social inclusion of thousands of underprivileged young people and public-school teachers, using high quality technical and beauty teaching materials including: books, videos and theater that have made science education extremely attractive, dynamic and joyful.