Hands-On Projects Promote Science Education in Brazil

"As teachers, we are encouraged to rely more on hands-on projects. Our students enjoy very much coming to the science lab to do experiments that enhance their learning in a fun and productive way," said Josiana Nasr, teacher in charge of the elementary science lab at the American School of Brasilia (EAB), located in the capital city of Brazil.

The EAB is a private, non-profit educational institution comparable to the best quality schools around the world. As Pioneer employee volunteers have noticed, the school continues to face tight budgets. The Pioneer International Operations Grant Program recently provided funding to help upgrade the school's science laboratories and classrooms to advance the teaching of science.

Nasr continued, "Our students enjoy very much coming to the science lab to do experiments that enhance their learning in a fun and productive way. However, to meet our program objectives, good quality microscopes are needed. We only have two microscopes four our 200 elementary students. We need microscopes to teach children basic techniques and observation skills. They learn basic slide-making techniques and discover a whole new world as they peer through a microscope. Many great scientists got their start on a microscope, who knows…. someday some of these students will be accepting the Nobel Prize for Biochemistry or Medicine. Therefore, I wish all of my students' good luck and happy experimenting. The Pioneer donation will make a difference in the life and education of our elementary students."

At EAB, students have the opportunity to learn the Portuguese language and study Brazilian culture, as well as share in the lifestyle and experiences of an international community and to understand the national cultures and languages of the people within it. For many students, English is a second or third language. Although instruction is primarily in English, all students also receive instruction in Portuguese. Approximately 65 percent of the students are Brazilian, 15 percent American and 20 percent represent almost 25 different nationalities.

Pioneer employees will continue to volunteer with the school, by scheduling regular scientific lectures, and attending the annual student science presentation.

The International Operations Grant program was launched in 2004 to help international locations develop programs to strengthen the Pioneer image in local communities through philanthropic and volunteer activities that generate social and/or economic value to the community and stakeholders. Many of the projects focus on production agriculture, higher education, and rural health and safety.

The program is open to all countries in International Operations.