Brazil Launches Youth-Focused Science and Technology Initiatives in Early 2026
Brazil kicks off two youth engagement programs in science and technology in January 2026, featuring hands-on workshops in Campina Grande and a large-scale innovation festival in Maceió.
- • Campina Grande launches a two-week vacation colony with robotics and prototype workshops for children aged 8-15 starting January 12.
- • Maceió hosts the debut SigmaFestival on January 20-21 with 800 students and 120 teachers, emphasizing international standards in STEM education.
- • SigmaFestival follows the ETAPA SigmaCamp intensive training event with American researchers held in Valinhos, SP.
- • Corporate leaders from Microsoft and EMBRAER will speak on innovation during the SigmaFestival, featuring interactive scientific stations and lectures.
Key details
Two major initiatives in Brazil are engaging children and adolescents in science and technology this January, aiming to nurture creativity, innovation, and scientific talent among youth.
In Campina Grande, the Prefeitura has inaugurated a vacation colony starting January 12 for children and teens aged 8 to 15. This program, organized by the Secretaria de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Secti), runs for two weeks and features robotics workshops and prototype exploration activities. Sessions are divided into groups for ages 8-11 and 11-15, with a maximum of 20 participants per group for close supervision. Secretary Fabiana Gomes emphasized the project's goal to "spark interest in innovation from an early age, fostering creativity, logical reasoning, and critical thinking." Registrations are open online for this playful and educational engagement in science during the school break.
Meanwhile, in Maceió, the first edition of the SigmaFestival on January 20-21 anticipates around 800 students and 120 teachers from Brazil and abroad. Supported by the Government of Alagoas, the festival promotes access to high-quality science and technology education aligned with international standards. It follows the ETAPA SigmaCamp in Valinhos, SP, where 25 selected students, including from Alagoas, train intensively with American researchers. Prominent industry leaders like Michel Schwartz from Microsoft and André Gasparotti of EMBRAER will discuss innovation challenges. Participants will engage directly with researchers from top institutions such as Harvard and MIT through interactive scientific stations and lectures. Professor Krerley Oliveira highlighted the event's significance in building Brazil's future generation of scientific talent and fostering an inclusive, innovative ecosystem.
Together, these initiatives represent a coordinated effort by Brazilian states to provide immersive, inspiring STEM learning opportunities during the school vacation. They underline the emphasis on early engagement in science and technology to support the country’s long-term innovation capabilities.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
