Six Brazilian students from the University of Campinas (Unicamp) have made headlines after winning the prestigious NASA Space Apps Challenge with their innovative project, 'Connected Earth Museum.' This year's theme 'The Sun Touches Everything' aimed to propose solutions for improving the quality of life on Earth and beyond. Among 93,520 participants from 163 countries, the Unicamp students stood out with their unique interactive virtual museum focused on climate change.
Matheus Gasparotto Lozano, one of the award-winning students, described the motivation behind their project: 'Our challenge was to show how the different systems of the planet are connected on a global level and how humans affect and are affected by these systems.' The project emphasizes the idea of interconnectivity between humanity and nature, urging participants to reflect on their impact on the environment and vice versa.
The team, which includes Gabriel Alexander Toledo Mendes, Luc Joffily Ribas, Lucas Nogueira Roberto, Pedro Carvalho Cintra, and Riccardo Carvalho Sofer, commenced planning just one week before the challenge. With only 48 hours to refine their concept, they managed to develop their submission effectively. Lozano recounted, 'The victory is a bit surreal, because it is a very difficult competition.' This win marks the second consecutive year Brazil has triumphed at this competition, illustrating the country's growing talent pool.
Marco Linhares, the organizer of the NASA Space Apps Campinas event and also a master's student at Unicamp, highlighted the importance of the achievements, noting, 'This project showcases how much talent our country has and emphasizes the need for more opportunities.' Since its inception, three different teams representing Brazil have won awards, indicating a promising future for innovative thinkers from the region.
The next step for the winning team is to secure funding to support their trip to the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center located in Maryland, United States. At the Goddard facility, they are expected to participate in immersive experiences with NASA scientists and experts. 'The big prize is making this trip in June, but NASA only extends the invitation—the costs are on us. So, we are actively seeking sponsorship alongside support from Unicamp and our current partner, pharmaceutical company EMS,' Linhares explained.
The upcoming NASA Space Apps Challenge is set to occur from October 4 to 5, 2025, and pre-registration is available on the program's official website. This initiative not only encourages students to engage with technology but also empowers them to develop solutions for pressing global issues.
These young innovators from Brazil are shining examples of how enthusiasm and dedication can lead to recognition on the world stage. Their work not only highlights their talents but also serves as inspiration for future generations to contribute to global dialogues on climate change. Indeed, their victory at NASA is just the beginning of what promises to be impactful careers dedicated to addressing the challenges facing our planet.