The Michaelis Sisters  A major milestone for women's empowerment. On July 6th, 1849, Henriette Michaelis was born in Berlin. Two years later, on March 15th, Carolina Michaelis, her sister, was welcomed to the family. The duo would soon make history, inspiring generations for decades after their death.
At a time when female presence was not allowed in the academic world, the youngest of the siblings, a German linguist, challenged the odds and became the first woman to teach at a Portuguese university. With the willpower to promote greater educational opportunities for women and children in Europe, the romanist, alongside her sister - a German philologist, romanist and lexicographer - dedicated her life to working on projects like the Michaelis dictionary. To honor their devoted times throughout the years, on Carolina´s 170th birthday the Michaelis Foundation with the support of Editora Melhoramentos will donate 170 bilingual School dictionaries to students of selected communities from all around the world. “By helping people, the way that she and her sister did for their entire life, we wish to carry out their spirit of giving to others and keep their beautiful story alive”, aspires the founder of the non-profit organization Jefferson Michaelis. The foundation has been providing social inclusion and bilingual STEM education throughout the years through projects like Science Days, Science Days Challenge and Simulation Exploration Experience (SEE). By working together, we intend to continue to inspire excitement and enthusiasm within the world’s youth about STEAM and how accomplishments in these fields have – and will continue to – revolutionize the way we live. (Carla Michaelis, Celebrating Global Thinking Initiative Project coordinator) - Luma Keily International Correspondent
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 Our story begins in 1896, when Henriette Michaelis and her sister Carolina Michaelis, together, gave life to the first Michaelis dictionary. Years later their legacy can be seen between the walls of the Michaelis Foundation for Global Education.
Through a diverse series of educational initiatives and hands-on bilingual project-based learning experiences, the non-profit organization has been empowering and engaging educators, young learners, and aspiring aerospace professionals from around the world for many years. “I strongly believe in the strength of good examples and the impact of words. I am sure that our work through the MFGE can touch a life or change a child's future!”, said Carla Michaelis, founder of the organization. Though this year has been full of uncertainties and consternation, hope can still be found in the heart of the organization. Between projects and partnerships, the MFGE team has been making exciting plans for the year to come. Jefferson Michaelis, said that he believes that there are many possibilities waiting to be found right around the corner. “All we have to do is take every single one of them, hoping that at least one will turn into something extraordinary”, he pointed out. We are certain that students and the teachers supported by our projects are empowered to make a difference in their classrooms, in their communities, and around the world. - MFGE  Carbon Dioxiders team (picture courtesy of teacher Fernando Rossi) An inclusive, innovative and inspiring experience. Through the Science Days Challenge, children and teenagers in love with science are able to have the unique opportunity to connect with the vast universe of space exploration through playful and motivating activities. “Having the opportunity to participate in an event like SDC is very exciting and makes everyone very thrilled. I never imagined that a project of mine would have such visibility”, said Felepe de Brito, one of the members of the Carbon Dioxiders team.
For student Leonardo Vaz Ferreira, participating in the friendly competition provided by Science Days was enriching. The young man expressed that he was able to learn how to deal with frustrations and maintain his determination despite the difficulties. “By participating in Science Days Challenge I learned many things that I can take into my life, such as not giving up so easily and knowing that most of the time projects go wrong, but we have to learn from these mistakes”, he shared. The young man also pointed out that the experience helped them emotionally and mentally. The “Breathing Out” project was born through a physical exercise that the students of the Colégio Cristão Jundiaí institution had to perform. “When my friends and I finished this task, we got the strange feeling of wanting more,” said Amanda Rabello Anarelli. The group competed with the experiment “The air that keeps you alive, can it also kill you?”, Winning the Double Award in the Best Use of Science and Best Science Concept category. “We may not yet have the power to change globally, but, as our biology professor says, it is our way of acting locally while thinking globally. So, I think we are doing what we can to transform our world into a better place”, added the student. “This initiative is building on years of teamwork and dedication to provide students and educators an opportunity to collaborate and work on PBL space/STEM educational activities while promoting US creativity and innovation. We expect to grow internationally to achieve our worldwide mission” – Jefferson Michaelis. - Luma Keily International Correspondent SDC initiative recognizes teamwork and commitment of students and teachers  Looking at each other in order to contribute to social well-being. This is the main proposal of the Science Days Challenge, which encourages students around the world to think of creative ideas to solve problems in their community.
On Monday (2), the results of the winners of the Science Days Challenge were released. On the podium, only the first three placed in the following categories: elementary school, middle school and high school. However, the reality is different: we have 37 winning teams. According to former NASA member Mike Lester, the traditional way of teaching is no longer enough to attract the attention of young people. Thus, the SDC initiative uses an alternative form of study by bringing the proposal to instigate young people's interest in science, technology, engineering arts and mathematics through space education. “Space seems to have a universal fascination”, revealed Mr. Lester who stated that, by generating curiosity, the subject facilitates the process of learning. In the reality of social isolation, maintaining focus and determination was the greatest challenge. Despite the insecurities generated by the pandemic situation, hundreds of participants of the Science Days Challenge turned to collective well-being, with the proposal to build a better world. With a common goal, students and teachers came together to bring innovative ideas to life, each one with its own special characteristics. In recognition of this altruistic act and the commitment of all groups to finish their projects and deliver all the materials within the time determined by the event, in 2021 all teams will be awarded at Science Days global event. With the right to special award and being called on stage, every student will be honored, regardless of whether they were among the top three in the SDC categories or not. “You are all winners”, said SDUSA president Mike Lester, referring to the event´s participants. Under Lester´s management and the active support of the Michaelis Foundation and KSCIA, in 2021 SDC will have the participation of several schools around the world. The special acknowledgement of the Most Inspirational Project, Best Presentation Award, SDC Double Award and Global Positive Impact Award will take place later this month.  InnovaSpace in England is actively contributing to the Science Days 2020 event that is happening simultaneously in the United States and in Jundiai, SP, Brazil.
The project is part of the global space outreach initiatives of the Michaelis Foundation, an InnovaSpace partner.
The Michaelis Foundation for Global Education is proud to announce a partnership with InnovaSpace (Innovaspace.org), located in London, United Kingdom.
The two organizations will collaborate in the development of space outreach activities. InnovaSpace Kids2Mars project will join the Science Days initiative of the Foundation, with the aim of promoting STEM and Space educational undertakings globally.  Hopefully, this message will be uplifting for all of you in these challenging times
From the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Michaelis Foundation has expanded its educational virtual programs in response to the original and continually evolving demands for more remote online activities for children and families across the globe. The Michaelis Foundation has already produced one online virtual conference with 150+ participants and prepared two hands on activities for 3,500 kids. We are committed to sharing our expertise, energy, and programs to address the issues of the global social isolation by nurturing adaptability and providing quality Space & STEAM education activities to support individual resiliency. Together with our global partners, we have been able to use our skills, creativity, and ingenuity to collectively solve educational challenges. All the best, The Michaelis Foundation Team  For the fourth year, The Michaelis Foundation is collaborating with SEE (Simulation Exploration Experience). See is an international, student based, space exploration simulation initiative, applying commercial off the shelf (COTS) software tools to generate 3D models and simulations of space exploration activities. 14 Students teams from all over the world - from the US, Canada, Brazil, Bulgaria, Germany, Britain, France and Italy, others are cooperating in the virtual conquest of space.
The Simulation Exploration Experience (SEE) joins students, industry, professional associations, and faculty together for an annual modeling and simulation (M&S) challenge. SEE champions collaborative collegiate-level modeling and simulation by providing a venue for students to work in highly dispersed inter-university teams to design, develop, test, and execute simulated missions associated with space exploration. Participating teams gain valuable knowledge, skills, and increased employability by working closely with industry professionals, NASA, and faculty advisors. This year, SEE will take place remotely and onsite in Brazil, April 25th-May 2nd for the performance by the SEE 2019 teams - representing 15 universities from 5 continents, across 11 time zones – of the simulated Space mission on both the Moon and Mars on which they collaborate. Participants include universities from Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina-Faso, Germany, Italy, France, Pakistan, United Kingdom and USA. The workshop events will include the Review of the Experience of SEE on April 25-26th - both remotely and in Brazil, and will be held at FACENS University in the city of Sorocaba. The Viera High School, KSCIA and The Michaelis Foundation hosted the "STEM Night Meeting With Space Experts" event on October 23rd to inspire local and international students to consider taking up STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – subjects in school.
Students had the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with two guest speakers who are working in the space program. During the presentation students learned about the International Space Station and some of the innovative experiments that are being conducted on the ISS. The Michaelis Foundation has invested years developing programs that build bridges between the United States and the world. We are honored to be co-hosting this amazing program and welcoming students and educators from all over the world to the Space Coast to experience first-hand leadership in international space education that our country has to offer," says Jefferson Michaelis, Space Educator of The Michaelis Foundation. "The experience and expertise that The Michaelis Foundation brings to the world is very much needed in the time we live in today," said Jose Carlos Filho (JC) head of the International Space Cooperation (ISC) for KSCIA International Space Academy (KSCIA). "Working with students who think and feel differently from us, who come from different cultures is a life changing experience." We not only guide young students to learn mathematics science, but we also actively promote compound education in space, with new PBL experiments, science and technology, and promote cooperation to different ethnic groups, so that the whole society gains on this global cooperation and harmony among various countries says Carla Michaelis project manager of The Michaelis Foundation. Special thanks to Mr. Michael Gisande and Janicce Harp.  The International Space Camp Journey To Mars was launched in August 2019 and already inspired hundreds of children and young adults to better understand the wonders of space and our universe. The program is based on an international alliance of cooperation for global space education and offers participants a chance to learn about innovative experiences of the space agencies.
The Space Camp Journey to Mars, created by the Michaelis Foundation, is a combination of hands on and PBL Space and STEM experiences celebrating the man's journey to Mars that is truly inspiring hundreds of young minds to pursue STEM education and careers. The Journey To Mars featured the giant Mars exploration map - a huge map that reproduces the Martian terrain in details. During the Space Camp, children had an opportunity to build and launch very cool stomp rockets, explored the wonders of the red planet and, with the help of an app, interacted with NASA rovers - space exploration vehicles - in augmented reality. Professor Füchter, who lectured at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) on the theme: “Augmented Reality for Technical Training” to NASA engineers by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), demonstrated to young people the augmented reality experiences during the Exploration Tour called Journey to Mars. Hundreds of young people also had the opportunity to participate in a special activity called surviving on Mars, where they used similar geopositioning coordinates that NASA uses to explore Mars terrain. Also used in the workshop occupying Mars, 8- to 12-year-old kids learned about Mars habitat and its structural requirements. Additionally, kids tested their own designs to develop their future homes on Mars, and thus learned how astronauts in the near future will inhabit Mars. All these amazing experiences bring new perspectives on science. According to the student Gabrielle Mendonça "It was very exciting and motivating, exceeding all my expectations. Glad I went to the space camp. I'm sure it will open many doors and I am now available to contribute with this project. I'm certain that my participation will bring me closer to my dream of going one day to Space. This was just a start point in my life, because my dream goes much further when I see Earth through space into the unknown” said Gabrielle. “I am teaching the Mars generation,” says Space Camp instructor Amanda Cirne, “These students will be the astronauts, engineers, scientists and project managers that will lead to human exploration of Mars and beyond. Plus, the current space missions provided a tremendous hook to help connect STEM content with real-world application. Science becomes real and exciting.” |
Michaelis in actionWe work with partner organizations worldwide to tackle critical challenges in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Archives
February 2021
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