IMPA Tech Open House: Visitors Learn About the Undergraduate Program

High school students, family members, and educators from different regions of the country visited IMPA Tech this Saturday (the 13th) to learn more about the bachelor’s degree program in Mathematics, Technology, and Innovation. The second edition of the IMPA Tech Open House brought together more than 100 participants in the port area of Rio de Janeiro, offering a day of immersion in the academic routine, the projects developed by undergraduate students, and the innovation ecosystem.

“It is a great pleasure to welcome the outside community here at IMPA Tech. It is an opportunity to show them, beyond our campus, what we do and what our undergraduate program is all about. The interaction with our students and this opportunity to exchange information are very valuable,” said Nara Bobko, academic manager at IMPA Tech.

The program began with a guided tour of the classrooms, library, and Computer Science and Physics labs. Francisco Silva, operations manager at IMPA Tech, led the group, which also toured the facilities at Maravalley, Rio de Janeiro’s innovation hub. The space, shared with the undergraduate campus, is home to more than 100 resident companies and startups, fostering integration between academia, research, and the job market.

Nara presented the lecture “What is IMPA Tech?”, in which she detailed the curriculum structure of the bachelor’s program. Offered as a full-time, on-campus program, the course provides an interdisciplinary education focused on the challenges of technology and innovation. During the event, participants were able to ask questions about the admissions process and learn about the program’s unique features, such as student housing, meal stipends, and financial aid.

Bianca Soares, 17, is a junior at PH High School in Niterói and plans to enroll at IMPA Tech in 2027. “It’s definitely my top choice for college. I really enjoyed the experience and was interested in the emphasis on math. The benefits students receive are really great,” she said.

Among those present was Flávia Luiza Jasmin, a high school physics teacher for 11th-grade students at CAp-UERJ. She coordinates a project that takes students on visits to research centers and institutions of higher education. “I want to show students that there is a world different from the one they are used to. I am impressed with IMPA Tech’s facilities and the support offered to students. It is an exceptional opportunity for them to study without worrying about living expenses in Rio,” she said.

One of the group members was 17-year-old Maria Luiza Pantosa. “It’s really great to have new experiences in such intellectually stimulating environments. I hadn’t heard of IMPA Tech before, but the visit sparked my interest. I really liked the focus on Data Science and Physics. It was an incredible opportunity provided by the teacher. The facilities are excellent, the classrooms are well-equipped, and the students have everything they need,” she said.

The IMPA Tech admissions process takes into account candidates’ performance on the mathematics section of the ENEM (National High School Exam) and reserves spots for medalists in academic competitions, such as the OBMEP (Brazilian Public School Mathematics Olympiad).

Luiz Miguel Duarte, a 17-year-old junior at Colégio Farias Brito in Fortaleza (CE), traveled to Rio de Janeiro specifically to take part in the program. “It’s a cutting-edge university that has a lot to offer students. I want to study here, and I’m sure that new doors will open for everyone who goes through this experience. The facilities and technology are incredible,” he said.

Participants also attended workshops on the four areas of focus for the bachelor’s degree program: Mathematics, Data Science, Physics, and Computer Science. Undergraduate students presented career paths and professional opportunities in each field, as well as leading hands-on activities and demonstrations of projects developed in the labs.

“Interacting with people from outside the institution, explaining our daily routine, and showing how the college works is very rewarding. We’re able to share with the community everything we’ve learned here,” said David Farina, one of the organizers of the physics workshop.

Larissa Dornelas, 17, left Angra dos Reis early to take part in the experience. A junior at ACEC High School, she highlighted the autonomy of the undergraduates. “When we see an educational institution of this size in Brazil, it’s really interesting. I needed to see it up close. I was impressed by the freedom students have to develop projects. It’s a very different relationship with mathematics than what we’re used to seeing in school,” she said.

The event also featured presentations of outreach projects. Among them is Integrando, which offers online mentoring and tutoring on the four areas of focus of the bachelor’s program to students across Brazil. Impatecode, on the other hand, prepares participants for programming competitions by teaching algorithms and conducting practice tests. These initiatives expand the reach of the knowledge produced at IMPA Tech and strengthen the connection between the undergraduate program and society. Visit the page and learn more about the initiatives.