Brazil student innovation contests spotlight agricultural and tech solutions

The third stage of Ideathon 2026 was held on 1 August in Santa Mariana, Paraná, where 50 students from five agricultural schools tackled the challenge of making fruit exports more efficient. The winning team from CEEP Agrícola Fernando Costa proposed a container‑closure system with traceability and organic certification, while runners‑up presented a smart platform linking small‑ and medium‑size fruit producers to international markets and a biodegradable box concept made from agricultural waste. The competition will culminate in a state final on 18 November in Curitiba.

At Rio Innovation Week 2026, the Fundação de Apoio à Escola Técnica (Faetec) showcased more than 60 projects created by students aged 15‑18. The prototypes spanned health (a fall‑detection vest for seniors, a pet‑anxiety monitoring chest), robotics (an AI‑driven hazardous‑container detector), sustainability and economics (a low‑cost financial‑education platform for youth). The event highlighted Brazil’s push to integrate student‑driven innovation into agriculture, technology and public health sectors.