Intel ISEF Educator Academy 2009 BRAZIL

Introduction: Brazilian Team Irene Karaguilla Ficheman (FEBRACE – Universidade de São Paulo): – PhD and MSc. in Electrical Engineering, BSc. in Mathematics and Computer Science – Researcher in Technologies for Education – Fair Organizer since Responsible for Judging, Prize Allocation, Database and System Development. Regional SRC Chair. Dalva Ines de Souza (MOSTRATEC – Fundação Liberato Salzano, Rio Grande do Sul, Novo Hamburgo) – BSc. in Chemistry, MSc in Environment Engineering (focus cleaner production) – Program Coordinator of research projects to Science Teachers in Brazil, close to Febrace, Mostratec and Intel; Chemistry Teacher. Ruy Castro (Education Manager - Intel Brazil) 2

Educational Environment Brazil Population: 183 million # States: 27 # Schools: 198 thousand (public: 165 thousand, private: 32 thousand) # Teachers: 2,6 million # Students: 52 million (INEP – Censo Escola 2007, IBGE – Censo 2007)

Decentralized Educational Environment Ministry of Education (Federal level) Directly responsible for Higher Education policies in the country (public and private universities and colleges) Coordinates Federal Technical High Schools (10th to 14th grades) Establishes the country's education policies and curriculum parameters for all k-13/14th schools (public and private) Secretary of Education (State level) Partially responsible for basic education - 5th – 9th grade public schools Fully responsible for middle school education 10th -13th/14th grade of public regular and technical high schools Secretary of Education (City level) Fully responsible for elementary education K-5 grade schools Partially responsible for basic education 6th- 9th grade schools

Educational Environment Math and Sciences in all levels (K-14) Entrance to some of Technical High School needs an exam in Portuguese and Math Entrance to University needs high school conclusion and special examinations National High School and University Exam are being introduced

Science Fairs - Febrace National Fair: 27 states’ participation Affiliated to Intel ISEF since 2003 Engaged 31 affiliated local and regional science fairs Community involvement: judging, organization support, cultural events Government involvement: funding 7 th Fair ( academic year): 226 projects, 514 students, 268 teachers

Science Fairs - Mostratec 23 fair editions already held; affiliated to ISEF since 1994 Community involvement: food, hospitality, financial resources (60%), diffusion, judges, awards Government involvement: Federal and State levels –financial resources (40%), flight tickets, diffusion to schools; City level – transport, human resources for cultural presentations

Science Fairs - Difficulties Organization and management: continuous funding Teaching practices do not support project based learning Quality of projects: teachers and students need support on how to use scientific methodology Fair attendance: students and teachers need local funding for travel expenses