STEM Literacy Initiative in South America

In August, Open Minds Open Doors expanded its global reach with an exciting new chapter in São Paulo, Brazil. Partnering with the Biblioteca de São Paulo (São Paulo Public Library), we launched a STEM Literacy Initiative aimed at bridging the gap between technological education and underserved youth communities in the city.

The program focused on empowering students with foundational engineering and coding skills, while integrating Portuguese-language STEM literacy to ensure comprehension and inclusivity. We were able to work closely with local educators, community volunteers, and Brazilian university students studying engineering, who served as mentors.

Highlights of the Month:

• Interactive Coding Bootcamp: Over 40 students, aged 10–15, participated in a week-long crash course on block-based programming and basic Python concepts.
   

• Hands-On Engineering Challenge: Students built small mechanical devices using recycled materials, encouraging both sustainability and creativity.
   

• Bilingual STEM Workshops: All lessons were delivered in Portuguese and English, helping students develop bilingual STEM vocabulary.
   

• Mentorship Program Launch: Local university students committed to mentoring small groups of participants for the next 6 months, ensuring long-term skill retention.
   

Impact by the Numbers:

• 📚 47 students directly impacted in August.
   

• ⏳ 16 hours of direct instruction and mentorship.
   

• 🖥 85% of participants had never coded before this month.
   

• 🌱 Over 70% of projects used entirely recycled materials.
   

Community Reflection:
The most touching moment came when one 12-year-old participant, Isabela, shared that she had never seen a “real robot” before and now wanted to become an engineer. Stories like hers remind us why global outreach is critical — exposure changes possibilities.