IMPA Tech students present projects at Arduino Day

Innovation and creativity in practice. IMPA Tech students took part this Saturday (25) in the Arduino Day 2026The event was held at Porto Maravalley. Organized by Rio Maker Space, a collaborative organization aimed at fostering maker culture in Rio de Janeiro, the event promoted an immersion in technology, with practical experiences and project exhibitions.

Celebrated worldwide, Arduino Day highlights the use of Arduino, an open-source electronic prototyping platform that allows you to create technological projects in a simple and accessible way. In practice, it works like a small computer: with a physical board and free software, you can develop anything from basic applications, such as automating a light bulb, to more complex solutions, such as robots, environmental sensors and intelligent systems.

The platform operates by collecting data from sensors such as temperature, light and movement, which is then processed to generate automatic responses. For this reason, Arduino has become an important tool for bringing students closer to areas such as programming, data science and the Internet of Things.

At IMPA Tech, students have direct contact with this technology from the start of their degree: each student receives an Arduino kit for practical activities and experimentation. They also have the FabLab, a laboratory equipped with 3D printers and laser cutters, which enables them to develop multidisciplinary prototypes.

During the event, students Órion Moreira and Pedro Henrique de Souza presented a thermal health sensor developed with Arduino and 3D printing. “The aim of the project was to create a more affordable alternative to traditional thermal stress sensors, which tend to be expensive and are mainly used by labor safety inspection agencies. The proposal is to offer a viable solution for small companies and workers who don’t need technical reports,” explained Moreira.

The device uses three measuring structures with different thermoresistors: the dry bulb, which is exposed to air; the wet bulb, which simulates the effects of humidity and perspiration; and the bulb inserted into a black globe, which is sensitive to thermal radiation. Based on this data, the system calculates a weighted average according to regulatory standards, indicating the heat stress indices in indoor and outdoor environments. “We were pleased with the result and we didn’t fall behind other projects presented,” added the student.

Another highlight was the home alarm project developed by students Maria Letícia Lins, Paulo Henrique Martins and Pollyana Resende. To demonstrate how it works, the group built an interactive model. “We created a low-cost security system that is easy to implement and compatible with home automation solutions. It is activated by an RFID card and, when it detects movement, it triggers an alert with a siren and LEDs,” explained Maria Letícia.

As well as exhibiting their projects, the students took part in activities such as electronics workshops, a virtual reality room with immersion in the scientific world and robot competitions. For student Daniel Silveira, it was an opportunity to exchange experiences with other participants in the maker ecosystem. “It was very good. It’s through simple, innovative ideas exposed to young people that we awaken curiosity and encourage them to pursue scientific careers. I see a lot of potential in this area and I think it should be encouraged,” he said.