The Microsoft Computing World Cup (Imagine Cup) announced the three champion teams of the national phase of the 14th edition of the tournament, in an event that took place at the end of April in Belo Horizonte (MG). They competed with more than 1,600 participants and created projects that use technology to improve people's lives. The most innovative will be selected to represent Brazil in the in Seattle (USA), and compete with projects from more than 100 countries for the prize of 50 thousand dollars.
The last stage of the national competition was an opportunity for young people to present their full potential in the world of technology, learn to build creative ideas with different skills and take the first steps in their careers. The award ceremony was attended by the President of Microsoft Brazil, Paula Bellizia, the Secretary of State for Science, Technology and Higher Education of the Government of Minas Gerais, Miguel Corrêa, do Hynde Fonseca Neto, market niche manager at Bradesco, entrepreneur Bel Pesce and youtuber Lucas Rangel, as master of ceremonies.
winning projects
Games Category
The students of PUC-MG Alessandra Faria de Castro, Érico Grasso, Ramon Coelho de Souza and Daniel Sanabria developed the game “Dream of Jequi”. The inspiration for the project came from an alarming fact: Vale do Jequitinhonha was considered by the UN the Vale da Miséria in 1974 and, after 42 years, the IBGE pointed out that 47% of the population still lives in a precarious situation.
In the educational game, aimed at children from 5 to 10 years old and their guardians, the player has the opportunity to get to know the Jequitinhonha Valley with the character Jequi and his objective is to collect water, since drought is one of the biggest difficulties faced by residents. Of region. At the end of each phase, a screen with the local reality is presented and the player has the option of making a cash donation to help people living in the arid areas of Minas Gerais. The idea is that the resources are destined for the creation of water cisterns and to support the NGO Cáritas Diocesana Araçuaí.
The game's 3D art was painted in watercolor, referencing local crafts, and the soundtrack is by artist Rubinho do Vale and friends.
Innovation Category
More than 1.25 million people die every year in the world victims of traffic accidents according to the WHO (World Health Organization) and Brazil is among the countries that have the most dangerous traffic. This scenario generated in 2014 for the DPVAT Insurance more than 52 thousand indemnities for death and 596 thousand for disability.
The situation motivated students Lucas Casagrande, Alexandre Viebrantz and Eduardo Garcia from UNISOCIESC to seek a solution. They created the innovative project called WitBox, a vehicular black box that presents evidence to help the reconstruction of automobile accidents by bringing useful information for technical expertise. The young people's idea is to provide new products for insurance companies.
Citizenship Category
Students at the University of São Paulo (USP) were recognized for a project that began to be developed three years ago and has already been tested by more than 1,000 people. It is the “Bridge”, a support platform for children with cognitive and motor limitations, such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, to perform small movements and physical therapy using adapted and fun games.
In the world, according to the WHO, there are about 200 million people with severe disabilities. For them, the physical therapy process is quite painful, tiring and expensive. Therefore, the idea is to make this process accessible, fun and with a chance of faster recovery. Among the target audiences are clinics, hospitals and universities, since the benefits extend to the work of doctors, physiotherapists and the families of people with disabilities. The “Bridge” was created by students Lucas Magon and Talita Dias.
Popular Vote
New this year was the popular vote. The students participated in a campaign on social networks that ensured greater visibility for their projects and respective authors. This was a way that Microsoft found to include the public in the tournament and the big winner on the internet was also the Bridge team.
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