Focusing on STEM and aerospace, the 6th edition of Science Days Brazil, had the strong support and partnership of the American Embassy and Consulates, and the Brazilian Space Agency, and received more than 8,700 students and education professionals. The event also featured the inauguration of the first Space Symposium, with institutions linked to the areas of Aeronautical engineering/space, Biotech, Renewable energy, Agrobusiness and Smart Cities (AEBEAS)
 
Science Days 2022 started on March 14th, in Sorocaba, and passed through the city of São José dos Campos until it ended, on the 23rd, in Belo Horizonte. However, Science Days activities are far from having a conclusion: to give even more opportunity to young students who were unable to be in person at the largest American traveling fair in Brazil, a webinar (LIVE) will be held on the @ScienceDaysOficial Instagram (@sciencedaysoficial).

“In May we will have our virtual edition of Edu Talk to include all students who were interested in Science Days but were unable to be with us during the in-person activities held in March for any particular reason.”, explained Jefferson Michaelis, founder of the project. The virtual event will count with the participation of some of the Foundation's partners, including the American institutions that participated in the in-person edition, and will now be graciously participating in the upcoming LIVE. Learn more about some of our supporters below:

Farragut Academy
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A private school, Farragut´s story begins in 1933. Known for its courses that form leaders in the fields of engineering, aviation, and naval science, for example, with a transformative approach, the institution was very well represented at Science Days by its director of admissions, Stephanie Wood, who was among the guests to speak at Edu Talk.
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“It was so wonderful to experience Brazil and meet students that are so academic minded! (…) All the students had great curiosity about studying in the US and wanted to learn about the chance of making that dream a reality”, she explained.

​ Embry Riddle AU

A reference institution when it comes to aerospace science and engineering, Embry Riddle has already helped more than 140,000 students to fulfill their dream of acquiring a degree, having trained 7 current and former astronauts. With practical classes in laboratories, simulators and control rooms, Embry-Riddle brought to Edu Talk its unique experience of delighting young people by communicating in a completely innovative way.
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“Seeing the sparkle in the children's eyes as they discover the endless opportunities they have for their futures, as shown at the fair, was the part that delighted me the most (at Science Days). They can do much more than they can imagine!”, said Leticia Schmitz, university’s representative.

Troy University

Training leaders capable of transforming the world into a better place is the purpose of Troy University, which was present at Edu Talk with an inspiring chat about the possibilities of studying abroad.

“I am so glad that Troy University could be a part of such an inspiring event. It really did provide an opportunity for everyone. (…)  I was amazed at not just the caliber of the students attending, but of the organizations and speakers involved that gave their time to pass on their knowledge and wisdom to all the eager minds in attendance. It truly was a one-of-a-kind opportunity that I would encourage everyone to be a part of, whether they’re interested in STEM or not” - Jacob Grant, Coordinator of Prospect Management at Troy University.
 
During Science Days, the students present had the unique opportunity to hear about the institution's projects and courses offered to foreigners.

Vaya Space

In this edition, Science Days also had the illustrious presence of the president of Vaya Space operations in Latin America, Darcton Damião. The company in Brazil, a subsidiary of the American company, worked for the success of the first orbital launch to be carried out from the national territory, by a satellite launcher built in Brazil by a Brazilian company.
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“I see myself as someone extremely privileged to have been given a unique opportunity to help finally make something that has been “in the oven” of the Brazilian Space Program for about five decades”, he said.
During the event, Darcton spoke to numerous students interested in learning about the future of the aerospace market

MAXAR Technologies

Talking about Maxar Technologies without talking about innovation is almost impossible, especially during its participation in Science days. With the motto “Explore, connect and protect”, Maxar, represented by software design specialist Patrícia Feingold, approached the topic “New Space”.

 “I am part of a team of 40-odd engineers and our role is to work in the area of ​​'dynamics and control', he revealed. “Your generation has the power to transform the human species,” she told the students. “It's revolutionary,” she concluded.
 

For more information about Science Days Brazil visit: http://www.sciencedays.org/sciencedaysbr2022.html  and follow us on social media (@sciencedaysoficial).

​- Luma Keily

In order to popularize science, the Michaelis Foundation for Global Education took the largest American space and STEM themed itinerary fair in Brazil to the Vicintin Foundation, in Belo Horizonte. The event that took place on Monday (21) in partnership with the U.S Embassy Branch Office in Belo Horizonte, ​​reached more than 60 young students between 14 and 17 years old.
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Hope was the word used by teenager Yasmin Azevedo (17), to describe what the experience gave her. For her, the opportunity to hear the testimonials shared by the speakers present at the event, was essential to generate a feeling of identification and representation. “I believe we all have a role in the universe, and I think they came here to show us that we can go wherever we´d want to be,” she affirmed.

The initiative took place after Science Days visited the cities of Sorocaba, São José dos Campos and Belo Horizonte, in its sixth edition of activities in Brazil. Dr. Kumar Krishen (former senior researcher at Johnson Space Center), Patricia Feingold (director of Maxar Technologies), Gabe Gabrielle (Formerly employed by AECOM under the Institutional Service - Contract as an Engineer II for Kennedy Space Center/NASA) and José Carlos Filho (country manager of KSCIA operations in Latin America) were just some of those invited to speak at the event, which was also attended by Jacob Grant from Troy University.

For student Isabelle Pimentel, this direct contact with professionals in the field opened the door to an important teaching-learning process. “It awakened in me this huge curiosity about space”, revealed the 15-year-old girl. The young woman also highlighted that the activity of sending a personalized postcard aboard Blue Origin's Rocket New Shepard was her favorite. “It's a brilliant idea and I'll have something special to remember it by” she announced, referring to the “Flown in Space” label that will be designated to those who participated in said activity.
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Science Days is an international initiative by the Michaelis Foundation, with the goal of improving the Global educational system through hand-on activities that arouse the interest of new generations in science.
For more details on this edition of Science Days, visit the Instagram profile @sciencedaysoficial.

Special thanks to Patricia Feingold with Maxar Technologies, Engineer Gabe Gabrielle Formerly employed by AECOM and Dr. Kumar Krishen, former Chief Technologist for Johnson Space Center (JSC).

​- Luma Keily

An unprecedented achievement in the history of Science Days, in addition to the two-day event – ​​full of activities that include workshops and the STEM & Space themed Expo – the biggest U.S. traveling STEM/Space fair in Brazil will feature an additional day, reserved for people interested in knowing a variety of insights, and even interested in investing in the aerospace industry and in STEM global opportunities. Restricted to the city of São José, Science Days Space Symposium promises to provide an important debate on the prospects of the future of the New Space: new global opportunities.

To achieve the expected economic development goals in the space sector, the principles of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University “come in handy”. Focusing on quality education, the institution seeks to train professionals capable of revolutionizing the area of ​​space science. “With more than 140,000 graduates worldwide, Embry-Riddle is not only leading the future, but also changing it,” said Leticia Schmitz, Affiliate Director of Professional Education at the institution.

Establishing presence in the Brazilian market and being seen as a reference of educational institution for programs related to aviation and aeronautical industry. According to the professional, this is Embry-Riddle's goal with its presence in this 6th edition of Science Days. “We imagine a Democratic field, where people will have more access to space and aeronautical activities (...) with a variety of opportunities for Brazilians in these industries”, she revealed.

Developing rocket launch systems is just one of the activities provided by the institution, which is open to welcoming new students. “We offer options to meet all higher education needs. Brazilians and all international students are more than welcome to enroll in over 100 courses we have.”

Embry Riddle will participate in every city in which Science Days is taking place in March. To learn more about some of the activities provided by Embry Riddle through its engineering courses, please watch the video below: https://youtu.be/R5IFTgtfVuQ

For more information about this edition of Science Days, please enter the Instagram profile @ScienceDaysOficial

​- Luma Keily

Nature's guardians. This is the name of the team made up of Professor Ana Carolina, her family and three of her children's colleagues who, together, developed a soil moisture sensor for proper and automatic irrigation of vegetables. The proposal was to think of a simple form of domestic cultivation that focused on reusing disposable materials and saving water.

To achieve promising results, the group carried out a division of functions, where each member helped within their area of ​​expertise. “The younger ones were responsible for choosing the container (...), the older ones, along with my husband and I, were responsible for idealizing what should be controlled (...) and Pedro Henrique was responsible for programming and system automation”, explained the mentor.

Green aisles, no-till and compost. Inspired by sustainable actions that are already in practice in the country, the team intends, in the future, to incorporate a control of exposure to the sun into the project. The idea is to solve problems by learning new technologies. “The expectation is that children can (...) share their ideas, (...) motivating themselves more and more to study”, said the mentor, who said she was looking forward to this year's in-person edition of Science Days, in March.

“We are proud to be part of a project that inspires so many young people to use their creativity to change the world! We believe that together we can show that it doesn't take much to make a positive impact on our society. All you need is willpower, unity and passion for what you do” – Jefferson Michaelis

Special thanks to FACENS that, once again and in an innovative way, offered us help and support for SDC in Sorocaba. We´re happy to see that this partnership is creating beautiful fruits to the next generations of great scientists and space explorers!

For more information about this Science Days edition, please follow Instagram for more updates: @sciencedaysoficial
 
- Luma Keily

Focusing on the STEM/New Space theme, Science Days returns with its in person activities to hold its sixth edition of annual events in Brazil. With the support of the Brazilian Space Agency and the American Embassy, ​​the initiative promises to bring innovative experiences related to the STEM area to young people of all ages.
 
According to the coordinator of the event's “Global Thinking” initiative, Carla Michaelis, the purpose is for the event to have a positive impact on the Brazilian´s educational system. In order to achieve such goal, the STEM & Space itinerary fair seeks to popularize science by providing free entry tickets. She stated that “Science Days embraces young people equally, without distinction.  Here, regardless of your social class or family income, you are always welcome to learn with us”.
 
Lectures, workshops, hands-on activities, and exhibitions will be just some of the programs offered during the days of the event. This year, participants will have the opportunity to send a postcard with a personalized illustration and message to space. “All cards will be aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, and upon completion of the mission, will return to their senders with a Flown in Space stamp,” announced one of SD’s industry partners and the director of the KSCIA International Space Academy in Brazil, José Carlos Filho.
 
In order to not jeopardize the schedule of activities planned for the students, the team is taking care of all the necessary precautions to adapt the event to the health policies linked to the covid-19 pandemic and the outbreak of the Omicron variant. “We want everyone attending Science Days to feel safe and enjoy all the awesome activities that we have prepared with great care, such as the award ceremony to the winners of the Science Days Challenge in 2021.”, explained the co-founder of the project, Jefferson Michaelis.
 
“It is with extreme happiness that we celebrate another year of Science Days in Brazil. Our trajectory, full of beautiful memories and great learning, inspires us to continue impacting the lives of countless students, with the certainty that this generation is responsible for the realization of a promising future. For me, there is nothing more gratifying than closely following the creativity used by these young people to think of action plans capable of solving many of the world's problems. This is our most precious gift, as it shows that, despite all the stones that have already appeared in our path, our goal is being achieved.” – Jefferson Michaelis
 
For more information about this Science Days edition, please access: http://www.sciencedays.org/sciencedays2022.html  
(or follow or Instagram account for more updates: @sciencedaysoficial)
 
- Luma Keily
 

Juliana Pitombeira, Isabela Costa, Pedro Carvalho and Laura Viera. With the help of professor Cícero Inácio, the students formed the Olimpianos Team and, together, won the first place of Science Days Challenge Sorocaba . In order to contribute to a society that is more attentive to the environment, the team used innovation and creativity to bring information in a playful and practical way.

The prominent place came thanks to the creation of an app. “The 'Reciclo' project proposes to create a gamified platform, which consists of using elements and techniques borrowed from games in areas where they were not originally present,” explained the mentor. Through the program developed by the group, citizens of the city of São Paulo, mainly in the metropolitan region of Sorocaba, have easy access to garbage collection points close to their homes, for example.

The recognition was the result of a long and precise research work. In direct contact with professionals in the areas of sustainability, marketing and economics, the students sought to analyze the environment in which they live and the needs it presents, and then try to solve the problems found. In the process, the team developed communication skills, autonomy, and social awareness.

For the project coordinator, “bringing scientific knowledge to basic education is very important”. The chance to observe the work of other participating teams favors the exchange of positive experiences, which contribute to building a better world. Cícero pointed out that “there are several projects in various areas of knowledge, which will enrich the students' knowledge, open their minds to possibilities that perhaps they didn't know existed”.

“The Science Days Challenge inspires innovation, teamwork and collaboration in schools where it is promoted due to the interest in this area, but also due to the interest of students in the topic. We can say that the Michaelis Foundation achieves its goal of making young people and adults fall in love with the scientific world.” said Maria Ines Carvalho with Facens

Special thanks to our partners, who help us, each edition, to share, with different schools, the importance of STEM teaching for social transformation.

To learn more about Science Days, visit: http://www.SciencedDays.org/

To learn more about Facens, visit: https://facens.br/

Luma Keily
International Correspondent

United by the same purpose, 21 students from the E.E. Roberto Pascoalick school formed the “Robotics and Sustainability” team. To recognize the importance of mechanical engineering in fundamental activities, the team sought to reproduce great inventions that are part of our daily routine, making use of recycled materials in the process.
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Cardboard, ice cream sticks, bottle caps and electronics scraps. These were just some of the objects collected by the students to build their projects. In a collaborative practice, the institution provided, for the 6th graders, a playful workshop, in which it was possible to transform the collected waste into intelligent systems, with motor functions.

For mentor Mário Henrique de Souza, the experience brought a valuable exchange of knowledge. “This interaction between students and Facens was very important in collaborating with current information and guidelines for our project,” he said. According to the University Center, the partnership with the Michaelis Foundation through the Science Days Challenge seeks to encourage young people to enter the aerospace market: "we could not have imagined how much the SDC would be praised".

After delivering the projects, Mário revealed the expectations of E.E. Roberto Pascoalick´s team for the Science Days in person in 2022. According to the teacher, having the opportunity to meet big names in the aerospace market will allow participants to create and develop “projects in the STEM area with the goal to spread and raise awareness of the importance of studying and learning about new professional opportunities in the space area”. “It is an honor for our team to participate in the Science Days Challenge proposal,” he pointed out, gladly.

“Through Science Days and Science Days Challenge, we have the challenging mission of introducing the 'New Space' to our new generation, seeking to always bring STEM education into the classroom in a playful way. Together, we want to show them that space science is incredibly enchanting to explore, even more so when you have your friends by your side in the process;" – Jefferson Michaelis

To learn more about Science Days, please visit: http://www.sciencedays.org/

Luma Keily
International Correspondent