Surrounded by nature, students hike Morro do Leme
Activity is part of NAP’s ‘Body and Mind in Motion’ project
On one side, Sugarloaf Mountain and Guanabara Bay; on the other, a privileged view of Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana Beach. This is how IMPA Tech students kicked off the month of February: in the middle of nature, exploring the Duque de Caxias Fort Trail, on Morro do Leme, this Sunday (1st).
The activity is part of the “Body and Mind in Motion” project, run by the undergraduate Psychopedagogical Support Center (NAP). The initiative seeks to promote physical and emotional health, creating moments of leisure and well-being outside the classroom.
Morro do Leme is an Environmental Protection Area (APA), which reinforces concepts of sustainability and environmental preservation. Along the way, toucans, marmosets and various species of birds accompanied visitors among the treetops, making the experience even richer.
“These activities are incredible and help a lot with our mental health, providing moments of leisure and physical well-being. They’re also opportunities to meet new colleagues and explore places in Rio that we hadn’t visited before,” said student Micaele Magalhães, from Piracuruca (PI).
The site is also historically important: the Duque de Caxias Fort, built between 1776 and 1779, is one of the oldest military fortresses in Rio de Janeiro, designed to protect the city from foreign invaders.
Professor Rafael Beraldo, IMPA Tech’s skills development manager, took part in the trail alongside the students. “It was an opportunity to get out of the routine, do physical activity outdoors and interact in a different environment. During the walk, the conversations were rich in reflections on the fauna, history and landscape of Rio de Janeiro,” he said.
For the NAP coordinator, outdoor activities broaden horizons and stimulate students’ autonomy. “It was a different learning experience, combining social interaction, reflection and contact with nature. It also reinforces the importance of environmental preservation and contributes positively to the students’ physical and emotional health,” she said.
