STEAM Generator Scholarship

Winter is coming, and as I prepare for the season, I think of my grandmother’s patchwork blanket. My mom found it years ago while organizing the wardrobe—which was quite needed. Each colorful piece tells a story about my family in Barra do Chapeu, a small rural town in Brazil. I see my life as a patchwork quilt stitched together from experiences that continue to shape my path as a first-generation student. One piece of my quilt takes me back to my grandmother’s farm. After playing outside with my cousins, I would sit with my mom, carefully looking for ticks. It wasn’t until I became a young adult that I processed my mother’s fears. Years later, when Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF) threatened the city where I studied, I couldn’t ignore the problem. Soon after, my school hosted a presentation from the Biological Institute of Sao Paulo (BISP) to explain the science and dangers of ticks. Could we make a trap to attract ticks? How could we neutralize them? The idea seemed impossible. But, I was curious. I realized I didn’t have all the knowledge to address the issue either, but I wanted to learn. Working with biologists and friends, I led the Papa Tick project, creating a solution that can protect hundreds of people. I combined my experiences with electric fly swatters, prototyping, and solar panels to create a single system. That experience showed me how combining community expertise with initiative could yield meaningful results. Another patch reminds me of my aunt Felina. She was building a house and needed help surveying the land. I arrived with a drone I bought with the money I had saved from being a tutor, and its sharp buzz startled the chickens. “It sounds like a bee,” my uncle joked, laughing as he watched it soar. “Almost, uncle—it’s a drone,” I replied, proud of how to use technology to solve real problems. With my knowledge of photogrammetry, I measured the land and captured aerial images for her. That same problem-solving mindset guided me during one project last semester when I did landscape photography—but now in a different country. Moving to the US and studying in college alone was exciting and daunting. I didn’t want to feel reduced to a single “rural” patch from my quilt, yet I wanted to experience new moments. I sought what was familiar, tried to connect with like-minded people, and found a challenge where I could apply my passion for technology to have an impact. That’s when I spearheaded a solar system for a learning center in a secluded area with no electricity. My memories of life in Barra do Chapéu helped me see the bigger picture—thinking about maintenance, accessibility, cost, and the daily realities of people who needed the solution. Today, I see a parallel as I explore the field of robotics. I’m stepping into uncharted territory, much like I did during the tick project. Back then, I leaned on biologists; now, I’m finding a new community of mentors and peers who share my interests. Last year, I took the initiative to found the Robotics Club— a place where I could teach about drones, robots, and new technologies. Through the club, I met people who have combined arts and music with robotics. With them, my biggest hope is to assist in developing technology and robots that can genuinely cooperate with humans in daily activities. Though I’m sometimes exploring these new places alone, I know I can always count on my family for support, just as they’ve supported every stitch of my journey.