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Science Days Challenge innovates during quarantine

10/30/2020

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

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The art present in the Science Days Challenge

10/22/2020

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Teacher makes use of literature to communicate with students

Teacher Dinalva (bottom right corner) and students - this photo was provided by the team and their mentor and edited to the format in display

Looking at each other in order to contribute to social well-being. This is the proposal of the Science Days Challenge, which encourages students to think of creative ideas to solve problems in their community. Among the 198 teachers on board the project, student Joaquim Santana believes that teacher Dinalva Nolacio is the best. “She is a dedicated and considered person, who cares about her students!”, he said.

Poetry as a universal language. To raise the children´s parent´s awareness of the importance of healthy eating and physical exercise to combat childhood obesity, advisor Dinalva and the Young Apprentice 1 and 2 teams came together to produce two poems.

Inspired by the text by Carlos Drummond de Andrade, ‘E agora, José?” (What now, José?), the students analyzed social issues that intrigues them in order to find an answer to the problems that surround them. This way, the poems they produced are complementary: while one presents the problem of obesity, the other brings solutions to the same issue. The pedagogue affirmed that “If it reaches one person, and the message is valid, it is worth it. A life is being reached”.

The mentor seeks to show her students that they are protagonists of their own story. She proudly pointed out that “they have already gained the experience of contributing with other people, of working as a team to transmit clear and objective communication to the whole world”. The teacher also added that she is grateful to be able to participate in this project with her class: “for me, this profession is priceless, it only has value”.

-Luma Keily
International Correspondent

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Science Days Challenge participants think about collective well-being

10/16/2020

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Encouraged by their teacher, the Protagonists team developed a digital book

Teacher Elio Silva (bottom corner - right) and the "Protagonists" Team

Professionals who innovate, stand out and go far beyond the classroom. According to the co-creator of Science Days Challenge, Jefferson Michaelis, teachers who inspire make a difference. "Not only in the lives of their students, but in the world," he said. In this way, the “SDC Jundiai Teacher STEM Engagement” award seeks to highlight the important role of the educator, not only regarding the engagement of groups in SDC activities, but as a social transformer. "It is an interesting prize because it seeks to recognize someone who does not seek recognition for what he does," said the professor Elio Silva.

For the advisor, the contact of students with practical applications of concepts studied in class, through the Science Days Challenge, is fundamental. “This environment that breathes science and technology in the search for solutions to humanity´s great problems, arouses the desire of students to know more and contribute with their ideas”, he said. In this way, the event seeks to give voice to young people, and presents creativity as a strong ally in the development of ideas to solve Society's problems.

Storytelling was the way found by the educator to motivate his students. “This project was born when I realized that social isolation had saddened and demotivated a teenager,” said the professor. Thus, the idea of presenting Bela with a book where she was the protagonist, became the mission of Elio and the student's classmates. The proposal was to show that she was strong enough to overcome the fear generated by the Coronavirus.

In a short time, the project took on a new form, and the personalized digital book was put on sale for validation. "We went far beyond what we imagined," said the mentor. Because of the Science Days Challenge, the story “I cried happily!” has gained an English version and, among numerous new narratives being developed by the group, an adventure in outer space is under development. “To be a teacher is to plant seeds of good knowledge. Our performance is limited, and it is up to the student to take care of that acquired portion and make it germinate, flourish, promote life”, said Elio.

Special thanks to KSCIA International Space Academy and InnovaSpace

(Photo courtesy of teacher Elio Silva)

- Luma Keily
International Correspondent

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Science Days Challenge Honors Teachers

10/12/2020

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Event Committee creates award for team mentors

Teacher César Cascioli (upper left corner), his coworker and helper, Cláudia Longatti (third photo from the first row - left to right), and his students, who are SDC participants

Highlighting the important role that teachers play in the process of personal development and professional training of the countless students enrolled in The Science Days Challenge. This is the purpose of their new project initiative, which brings the educator as the main protagonist.

Encouraging group work and developing students´ passion for STEM beyond the classroom are just some of the contributions that SDC team advisors have made over the years. It was to recognize this effective participation that the category “SDC Jundiai Teacher STEAM Engagement” was developed. “We understand that the teacher is a key part of stimulating students at SDC and recognizing this partnership is a source of pride for us”, said Science Days President Mike Lester. Thus, during Science Days 2021 in Brazil, an official certificate and Apollo 11 gold metal will be given to a pedagogue chosen as highlight in the involvement of his students in the activities of the event.

A transformer of our existing reality. This was the definition given by the teacher at the Schools Padre Anchieta institution, César Cascioli, about what it means to be a teacher. Mentor of four teams participating in the Science Days Challenge – Flores e Abelhas, Sementes, Solclovia and Biadegradabolotas– the professional stated that the proposal for a new category of awards with the educator in focus is fundamental symbol for the valorization of education as a tool for social transformation. “I feel very honored”, he said.

Respecting students for their ideas and wishes is the philosophy addressed by César when guiding his teams in the search for solutions to problems in their community. Inspired, his students came together to develop sustainable practices – such as the creation of urban cycle paths covered by solar panels mixed with green roofs and the construction of a flower corridor – to deal with issues such as urban mobility, clean energy and the threat of bee extinction. “Projects such as this one makes students think about their world, seeking creative and inventive solutions to the most diverse problems faced in their daily lives”, said the professional. The professor also pointed out that his biggest prize is seeing his students do what they like.

The vote will be public and should be made by students, co-workers and team members until October 15th on the portal:
http://www.sciencedays.org/sdc-teacher-award-jundiai.html. The official announcement will be conducted by the director of Science Days USA at Kennedy Space Center.

- Luma keily

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