From May 12 to June 6, more than 1,400 students from public and private high schools in São José dos Campos are taking part in Newton in a Box.
São José dos Campos, Brazil – Newton in a Box is a small-scale version of the Norwegian-developed Newton Concept, designed to bring STEM learning activities into a flexible, mobile format that can travel to new locations. The acitivites aims to spark curiosity and creativity through science and engineering activities.
Hosted at SJK Airport, this initiative invites young learners to step into the world of science and technology through flight simulators, paper airplane experiments, and real-time energy investigations. For many students, it’s their first encounter with STEM delivered in such an engaging and hands-on way.
Newton Lands in Brazil
The city officially launched Newton in a Box on Tuesday, May 20. The program is a collaborative effort between FIRST Scandinavia, Boeing, ANAC (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil), and SJK Airport.
You can also read: Event highligts from Newton In a Box Opening Ceremony
The Flight Engineering Challenge. Photo Credit: Gerson Akira Fujiki
Representing FIRST Scandinavia, June Moltubakk, Ørjan Snoen, Ole Morten Mortensen, and Axel Storli traveled to São José dos Campos to set up the teaching area at the airport and train 80 local volunteers, including many Boeing employees. These trained volunteers are now leading the sessions with students.
Student Activities
Students participate in a range of aviation-themed STEM challenges:
• Flight Engineering Challenge: Build and test a paper airplane while exploring aerodynamics, lift, drag, and stability.
• Flight Simulators: Experience the thrill of flying in a cockpit.
• Kinetic Energy Experiment: Use real-time sensor data to explore energy transformations, gaining hands-on insight into acceleration, momentum, and energy conservation.
Each session is led by Newton-trained volunteers who provide mentorship, guidance, and encouragement throughout the learning process.
"It was great to see how engaged and positive both the volunteers and students were. I’m really pleased that the Newton in a Box activities were so well received in Brazil. I hope the students leave with a growing interest in STEM subjects and feel encouraged about their future opportunities," says June Moltubakk, Project Manager at FIRST Scandinavia.
Trained volunteers are leading the sessions with students. Photo from the Opening Ceremony May 20. Photo Credit: Gerson Akira Fujiki
The FIRST Scandinavia team, here represented by June and Axel, was also present during the first few days of student visits, providing support and observing the activities in action. Photo Credits: FIRST Scandinavia
In the Flight Engineering Challenge students have to make their own airplanes. Photo Credit: Gerson Akira Fujiki
In the Flight Simulators, students will experience the thrill of flying in a cockpit. Photo Credit: Gerson Akira Fujiki
The Kinetic Energy Experiment is a down scaled version of the Newton Module - We explere energy, developed for teaching school classes in permanent Newton Rooms. Photo Credit: Gerson Akira Fujiki
