Science Days Challenge innovates during quarantine

In times of social isolation, teams need to reinvent themselves

The Electron Team (photo courtesy of teacher Guilherme Tumolo)

A challenging scenario. Participating in a team competition, without personal contact, seems like an impossible mission. However, for supervisor Guilherme Tumolo, the challenge was accepted immediately, and the situation was seen as an opportunity to develop critical thinking in his students through robotics. “I teach them that they should absorb, think, reflect everything they hear and see so that they can build their own knowledge based on the exposure of everything they experience,” he said. 

The High Voltage Team (photo courtesy of teacher Guilherme Tumolo)

A team with the highest organization prize at the Brazil Robotics Tournament in the Paraíba Valley. Another, with the recognition in Minas de Gerais as the third best in the country in robotics. Encouraged by the professor, the Electron and High Voltage teams did not let discouragement hinder the search for a new award, this time, in the Science Days Challenge. Proudly, the mentor stated that "what I can highlight is much more than awards received, as they are the result of the competence, persistence, determination and willingness of children to do more and better".
 
Inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability. In order to make a difference in people's lives, the groups came together to develop sustainable projects with the help of technology, in addition to thinking about the production of a small pre-programmed car, moved by rails, to facilitate the urban mobility of disabled people . For Guilherme, being part of these projects with his students is a fulfilling experience. He pointed out that "the construction of this knowledge with the challenge of working with children in new areas is wonderful and certainly builds a bright future for them".
 
 - Luma Keily