The community institution's play and educational spaces were transformed through more than 100 hours of work by the group

What could have been another story of loss turned into reconstruction and creativity. These were the tools used by engineering students from Feevale University to help restore spaces at the Juja Baby Community Early Childhood Education School in São Leopoldo.The institution faced one of the most difficult periods in its history when it was severely hit by the 2024 floods, with toys, teaching materials, and learning areas destroyed.

Focusing on childhood and the future, Feevale students developed a revitalization project called the Sensory Panel - ECEI Juja Baby. Part of the Applied Project II curriculum component, the initiative involved 100 hours of dedication to change deteriorated environments into playful and educational spaces, built with sustainable and low-cost materials. Inspired by the theories of Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky, the pedagogical practices of Maria Montessori, and the Reggio Emilia approach, the group created educational toys on a sensory panel. The project, besides promoting children's motor and sensory development, also instills environmental responsibility from an early age. "More than just reusing materials and assembling toys, the project restored smiles, self-esteem and dignity. Educators, parents, and guardians reported improvements in children's concentration, independence, and interest in school activities," says teacher Daiana Arnold, who teaches Applied Project II along with Cristine Kassick. According to Daiana, the impact of the activity goes far beyond the school walls, as the sense of belonging and hope reaches the entire community.

For the students who participated in the initiative, even with limited resources, it was possible to change the children's lives. The engineering students are: Carlos Eduardo Poersch, Henrique Gabriel Fernandes, João Vitor dos Reis Brasff, and Vanessa Pereira dos Santos (Civil Engineering); Cristiano da Costa (Chemical Engineering); Micael Henrique Machado (Computer Engineering); and WilliamCristiano de Mello (Production Engineering).