STEM in Brazil
Febrace Talks
February 2024 marked the ninth anniversary of the United Nations recognizing the role of women and girls in science as agents of change and highlighting the importance of gender parity in achieving sustainable development goals. Ashland LATAM solvers recognized and supported the International Day of Women and Girls in Science with several of our scientists in Brazil speaking at "Febrace Talks." Daniela Galter, life sciences, Natalia Lopes, coatings, and Tatiana Kumayama, personal care, spoke about their challenges and achievements as scientists. Through our initiatives with Fabrace, Ashland's program is building awareness and investment in STEM education, including developing the mindset of scientific curiosity and innovative thinking in students and educators in the region.
The Brazilian Science and Engineering Fair (FEBRACE) is a science and engineering talent program that encourages a scientific culture, investigative knowledge, innovation, and entrepreneurship among young people and educators in basic and technical education in Brazil. It is one of Ashland's STEM Latin America initiatives.
Ashland Supports Brazil's Largest Science Fair Furthering STEM Investment in Community
In December, the San Paulo team welcomed the Ashland Student Solver Award winners as part of its support for The Brazilian Science and Engineering Fair (FEBRACE). A panel from Ashland selected two winners from more than 200 students who participated in the Fair with their ideas and innovations related to STEM. The program helps build awareness and investment in STEM education, including developing the mindset of scientific curiosity and innovative thinking in students and educators in the region. The students and their teachers visited the Ashland plant site and technical center, where they learned from our scientists about real-world applications in the coatings, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries.
Students from Instituto Reciclar visit the Ashland Tech Center
Young students from the 1st educational year of Instituto Reciclar visited our Tech Center, on October 25th as part of the Ashland STEM probgram in Brazil.
In addition to getting to know the facilities, laboratories, offices, they heard about Ashland, what we do, our business, HR tips on employability, and the idea is to help them understand how interesting and present applied chemistry is in our daily lives.
The partnership with Reciclar is one action of Ashland’s STEM project in Brazil, which includes financial support, volunteering and job opportunities.
Today we have two solvers who were part of the educational program and are now part of the Ashland workforce.
- Ana Clara Fernandes da Silva – apprentice at GTC area
- Marli Conceição Lopes - Intern at Supply Chain and IT.
We have some actions planned throughout 2024, including volunteering, and we count on everyone's participation. To get to know more Instituto Reciclar: https://reciclar.org.br/
Ashland Brazil helps local school in need
Approximately 130 solvers from Ashland Brazil spent time volunteering at a local school called CEI Lapa. The event was held in partnership with local non-governmental organization (NGO) Espaço Urbano. The school was revitalized and painted so that the children had a more pleasant, welcoming and playful environment.
Brazil volunteers continue school revitalization
In December, volunteers from Ashland in Brazil continued with the revitalization of the CEI Lapa school in São Paulo, Brazil. The volunteers are dedicated to helping the school that is responsible for serving dozens of children up to 4 years of age and is another example of how Ashland colleagues help those who really need it. After beginning the revitalization project a few months ago, the volunteers continued the project by painting the exterior, and as you can see is a job well done.
Employees from São Paulo and Cabreúva facilities participate in community activity
Employees from the São Paulo and Cabreúva facilities volunteered at the Lar de Assistência a Menores (LAM) or "Home for Assistance to Minors," a non-profit social welfare non-governmental organization (NGO) established on Aug. 23, 2000, providing them the opportunity to engage in social and territorial transformation initiatives in their surrounding community to generate an impact.
LAM's target group includes children of both genders, from birth to 18 years of age, with broken or weakened family ties, among other problems. They are referred by the Childhood and Adolescence Court and/or the Child Protective Services, aiming to provide shelter, help rebuild their lives, and return to family and community life.
Espaço Urbano, Ashland’s partner in social responsibility initiative, conducted a survey of the institution’s needs and planned all stages of the project.
Ashland's volunteers chose to work on the most critical items, taking the comfort and safety of children and young people into consideration. These tasks included the following:
Revitalizing the indoor space - replacing glass, cleaning and painting windows, bedrooms, nursery and bathrooms; and
Outdoors - cleaning and restoring leisure areas, cleaning the pool, playground and lawn, and revitalizing the garden.
One hundred volunteers participated that day, including employees from Ashland's Brazil facilities and their families. Additionally, in July/August they launched a campaign to collect personal care, cleaning and food items that was a great success.
The Brazilian Science and Engineering Fair (FEBRACE) - 2024 Edition
Ashland selected three winners from more than 500 students who participated in the Fair with their ideas and innovations related to STEM. The program helps build awareness and investment in STEM education, including developing the mindset of scientific curiosity and innovative thinking in students and educators in the region.
photo credits: Divulgação FEBRACE
Guillermo Novo at Instituto Reciclar