Young people will solve Earth’s problems thanks to Space

Program will take place between July 17 and August 10 in Matosinhos­

The CEiiA (Center for Product Development and Engineering) will launch the 4th edition of the SLI – Sustainable Living Innovators program, a program whose ambition is to train young technological leaders so that, using technology, they can develop solutions that promote the sustainability of the planet and a better quality of life for the population.

In this issue, whose motto is “How can space technologies help solve Earth’s problems?”, the challenge given to the participants (designated Innovators) is to fulfill the mission of finding innovative solutions to the problems of the planet, using space technologies – an area where CEiiA believes that there is much to explore and where young people can play a role determinant.

To mark the beginning of this program that will take place between July 17th and August 10th, CEiiA will hold a launch event on June 30th, which will welcome the Innovators of this edition, the Alumni of previous editions, the Activators ( internal trainers and external partners who will share their knowledge and experience), Schools, Universities and other partner entities and even relatives and friends of the participants. The objective is to make known the ambition of this edition, the axes that structure the program and consolidate this SLI community, as a driving force behind the “smart and sustainable living” concept defended by CEiiA.

This event will feature the presence and intervention of several of the Activators invited for this edition, namely: António Pontes (U-Minho), Magda Cocco (VdA), Manuel Eanes (NOS), and Ricardo Conde (Portugal Space). There is also a brief lecture on “The challenges of and in Space for the younger generations”, promoted by Activator Manuel Heitor.

As part of this celebration, a mural developed by the artistic project Ruído will be inaugurated, coordinated by Miguel Januário (maismenos), CEiiA’s resident artist.

About the SLI (Sustainable Living Innovators) program

SLI is an advanced development program for young leaders, aimed at valuing knowledge and technology in favor of quality of life and the sustainability of the Planet. Aimed at secondary school and university students, it involves university professors, researchers, and other specialists, with the aim of supporting the new generations in building a future designed from sustainability.

SLI started in 2020, and since then it has had more than 100 young students studying different areas of knowledge in the fields of engineering, life and health sciences, architecture, and design, from different parts of the country.

The first edition, which took place during the pandemic, was focused on the health area, resulting in the development of a prototype of a medical device.

The following editions (SLI2021 and SLI2022) were focused on the development of new products and services for carbon neutrality in cities following the New European Bauhaus principles of aesthetics, inclusion and sustainability.

The SLI2022 edition resulted in the development of the first biodevice for cities that captures, quantifies, and communicates captured emissions and that allows tokenizing this value into an environmental asset that can be transacted. This work was continued and a baby start-up was created which is being monitored by CEiiA and involves the marketing director of Super Bock and Porto Business School, having been a candidate for the New European Bauhaus 2023 award.

Some alumni testimonials

2021

Ana Rita Barros – Master in Environmental Engineering at FEUP | It was extremely enriching and will certainly be an asset to my professional and personal future.

Throughout the program, regardless of the basic training area, we were exposed to challenges that allowed us to develop multidisciplinary, innovative and critical thinking. With this experience, it became clear the need to think about sustainability in a transversal way with regard to the areas of intervention and, mainly, in the search for solutions.

Tiago Neves – Engineering and Industrial Management at FCT – NOVA | It made me grow, both as a person and as a future professional.

I developed several skills within the scope of prototyping, programming and communication, which today help me to be better and more competent in the projects in which I am involved. But, above all, I came to believe that it is possible to change our way of life and actively contribute to ensuring a better present and a better future for our Planet – at CEiiA I gained a greater motivation to be an active part of the change.

2022

Mariana Avides – 10th grade Nossa Senhora do Rosário School | It was the most remarkable project in which I have been involved to date.

The moments I most valued were the discussions about solutions to current problems related to the environment, which made me a more creative person, and who remembers to take into account a practical panorama, combining it with the art of thinking outside the box . I strongly recommend the participation of all those interested in making a difference in the community through this ode to innovation.

Matheus Costa – Electronic Engineering at Minho University | I was completely blown away by the program

Having had the opportunity to learn from trained mentors from different areas and then be able to apply that knowledge in a multidisciplinary team, made me more sure of my technical capabilities in a business context and, at the same time, improve my soft skills. I can definitely say that from the way I present myself in lectures to the way I communicate with my team in other projects, it has been improved due to this experience.

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