Cosmos Project takes astronomy and astronautics free of charge to schools in Manaus (AM)

Credit: disclosure

By: Eduarda Nunes – Lupa do Bem / Favela em Pauta

Seven years ago, the Projeto Cosmos emerged in Manaus, first as a preparatory course for the Olimpíada Brasileira de Astronomia e Astronáutica (OBA), and later on became an extension project at the Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), to democratize access to studies of astronomy and astronautics.

Back then, since 2015, UFAM students minimize the distance between children and teenagers who are still in science school trying to understand the universe.

“The main objective is to bring astronomy, astronautics and a little of each natural science (physics, chemistry and mathematics) into the schools of Manaus”, says Beatriz Ramos, project coordinator since 2021.

Under Beatriz’ management, around a thousand primary and secondary school students in the city have already carried out, free of charge, some of the activities that make up the project. Today, in addition to classes for the Olimpíadas, workshops, lectures and experiments are offered on topics involving the initiative.

The idea conception of ​​“Cosmos”

The idea was born from Carlla Vicna’s observation about the deficiency in teaching astronomy at the school where she studied. It was 2015 when she gathered some friends to create a preparatory course to study together for the OBA. When she entered the university, she took over Cosmos and the project took new directions, expanding in terms of performance and teamwork.

Today Carlla has a degree in computer engineering and, since 2017, the initiative has become an extension project of UFAM, for carrying out this interaction between the university and civil society.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, actions were limited to the remote model and the forecast for returning to face-to-face activities is 2023. And, since then, contact and scheduling of activities offered are made through an online form that the project makes available on the Instagram profile itself.

Periodically, spots for pre-university entrance exam classes for OBA and also for the Mostra Brasileira de Foguetes (MOBFOG) are made available through the same channel. Classes take place on Saturdays at the Universidade Federal do Amazonas.

From results to project continuity

In addition to the bronze, silver and gold medals that the project’s students have already won, the students’ interest and approach to natural science is another measure of success that the team uses in its self-assessment.

“A lot of people think that to be a scientist you need to be a genius, but you don’t, you just need to study slowly and that’s what we try to pass on to the students”, comments Beatriz.

She also says that younger children are the ones who show the most excitement about the subjects. “They say ‘ah, but I need to be very smart to do that'”.

The Cosmos coordinator reports that the biggest challenge the group has faced is the lack of structure that schools can offer to carry out activities. Beatriz points out that this is a particular perception of this being one of the reasons why fewer public schools seek the project than private schools.

Even so, the project continues to renew itself on all fronts. Currently, there are around 20 University students responsible for managing the project. And today, the priority is carrying out activities or expanding the group’s activities.

Through these initiatives, Cosmos received the Laureate Brasil Jovem Empreendedor award for its work in Manaus schools in 2017.

For those who want to contribute to the initiative, just get in touch through the profile on instagram to make the donation of useful materials for the project.

*Cosmos is a university extension project, it is forbidden to receive financial resources directly.