Empowering Tomorrow’s Innovators: STEM Punks in Colombia & Brazil, 2025

“My son came home from school yesterday and said: Mum, today was the best day of my life.” – Michael, a young student’s Mum, Paula.

The STEM Punks 2025 LATAM tour, funded through the Orica Impact Fund and supported by GroundProbe, has continued with vibrant stops in Colombia and Brazil, where students embraced hands-on learning and collaborated to solve real-world challenges. The tour’s mission was clear: to ignite curiosity and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.

Colombia – Reigniting Connections and Fueling Curiosity

From the moment the team arrived in Colombia, the energy was electric. At Colegio Reggio Emilia, many students eagerly reconnected with the program, having previously participated in past workshops. This familiarity allowed them to delve deeper into critical thinking and creative design. The new teachers also expressed immense gratitude for their opportunity to engage with the program.

At Colegio Monseñor Alfonso Uribe Jaramillo, the excitement was palpable, with students already brimming with questions before the sessions began. Their teamwork and problem-solving during the workshops reflected a school culture that nurtures curiosity and creativity. The team also led professional development sessions for robotics teachers, which helped lay the groundwork for long-term STEM integration at the school.

At Colegio Alcázares—Aspaen, the students’ enthusiasm reached new heights. Some were already peeking through the doors before the sessions began, eager to jump in. Once inside, they approached every challenge with determination and imagination, impressing teachers with their ability to think critically and stay engaged.

The tour’s final stop was at SENA (Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje), where older students with strong foundational knowledge took the program’s hands-on approach to new heights. Their ability to think analytically and tackle complex problems demonstrated the power of applied STEM learning at every level. One story in particular captured the heart of the experience: A young boy travelled 1.5 hours with his mother to personally thank the team, sharing that it had been “the best day of his life.” It was a moment that beautifully illustrated the lasting impact of STEM Punks.

A memorable moment came when a young boy who had attended a workshop in Colombia returned to thank the team. He had travelled 1.5 hours with his mother, and upon receiving a personal gift from STEM Punks CEO Michael Holmstrom—a STEM Punks Innovation Kit—he said it was “the best day of his life.” This heartfelt moment beautifully captured the lasting impact of the program on students.

Brazil – A New Chapter Begins

After the excitement in Colombia, the team traveled to Brazil to introduce STEM Punks to new schools, new communities, and a new language. The dynamic shifted, but the energy, creativity, and hunger for knowledge remained constant.

The Brazilian leg of the tour kicked off at Escola Estadual Professor Caetano Azeredo in Belo Horizonte, where 21 enthusiastic 14-year-olds jumped into their first exposure to coding and robotics. The sessions, tailored to diverse learning needs, quickly gained momentum, and by the end of the day, the students were confidently problem-solving, collaborating, and competing in autonomous rover mineral mining races. It was an excellent start to the Brazilian journey, made even more special by the support of the local #GroundProbe team.

The following day, the team visited Escola de Formação Gerencial Nova Lima. This school stood out for its positive learning culture, one that emphasized psychological safety and encouraged students to fail forward. The 15-year-old students dove into coding and design challenges with enthusiasm and resilience. Over two sessions, 69 students showcased their curiosity, determination, and gratitude for the experience, reflecting the very essence of STEM Punks.

The final stop in Brazil was at Escola Estadual Pedro Segundo, where students aged 16-18 embraced coding and design thinking with excitement. The school’s historical beauty contrasted beautifully with the modern skills the students were developing inside. Their energy peaked during the autonomous rover race, which concluded the Brazil leg of the tour with an exciting finale. This session also marked the culmination of the entire LATAM tour.

Thank you to everyone who helped bring this engaging and educational community initiative to life — your support made it a true success!

Additional Reading:

Empowering Tomorrow’s Innovators: STEM Punks in Chile and Peru, 2025 – GroundProbe
Dedicated to inspiring and educating young minds in Latin America
Teaching STEM to schools in Latin America

#OIF #OricaImpactFund #Orica #GroundProbe #STEMPunks #CommunityEngagement #STEMEducation