The Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development Area, within the section given over to making science popular, hosted the Environment, Science and Technology Fair at Rio+20 (FEMACT), a competition for students from elementary and high schools all over Brazil. On Thursday (June 14) the winners were announced.

"Twelve science professionals judged the students' work," says the fair’s coordinator, Douglas Falcão, from the Museum of Astronomy and Related Sciences (MAST / MCTI). "The awards are divided into four categories: Initiation of Research, and Technological Promotion, for elementary schools; and Technological Development, and Research Incentives for high schools," he explains.

Falcão stresses that the aim is to instill in students a taste for science and for discussing issues that may change the future of the planet. "The goal is to make students protagonists and involve them. Hence, support from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation was key," explains the physicist. "Over 6,000 people visited the booths, which was a great exchange of experiences."

Prizes

The prize for the twelve winning projects is a R$ 300 voucher to be spent on science books. In addition, the projects have been entered into national scientific festivals.

The award ceremony showed how important the Young Scientist Award is, which showcases new talent, with the major honors handed over by the President of the Republic for the last 32 years. Registration for the 2012 edition, whose theme is a scientific innovation in sports, is open until August 31.
The winners were:

Scientific Development Category - high school

1st - Pak tile
2nd – Using sawdust in leather production
3rd – Environmental concrete

Research Incentives Category - high school

1st – Soap re-use machine
2nd - Effects of oil on seed germination
3rd - Use of coconut as a bio-fertilizer

Science Promotion Category - elementary school

1st - Solar oven for the treatment of river water
2nd - Cracking the delicious world of geometry
3rd – Sustainable supermarket - Ecomarketing

Initiation of Research Category - elementary school

1st - Recycling and learning mathematics
2nd - Eradication of poverty through community food production
3rd - Trash and Sewerage: quality of life and energy

See more pictures of the award ceremony and the participants.

Text: Gerhard Brêda – Press Office, MCTI