Maria Augusta Silveira Netto Nunes

Project “Almanacs for the Popularization of Computer Science”, endorsed by the SBC: http://almanaquesdacomputacao.com.br/

Academic Trajectory: Professor Nunes holds a degree from the University of Passo Fundo, a master’s degree from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, and a doctorate from the Université Montpellier II with a research stay at the Institute of Systems and Computer Engineering (ID) in Lisbon. During her master’s and doctoral studies, she worked in Artificial Intelligence and Affective Computing and consistently demonstrated an innovative, “out-of-the-box” approach to thinking.

After returning to Brazil, she passed competitive exams for the University of Brasília (UnB) and the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), choosing to teach at UFS. During this period, she developed work in the area of ​​Intellectual Property and Almanacs, winning awards and recognition. Her innovative work with educational comics emerged to demystify computing and engage students, especially from public schools.

Scientific Contribution: Professor Nunes’ research focuses on developing innovative educational materials, using comic books as a tool to facilitate the teaching of Computer Science and Intellectual Property. Her work seeks to make learning more accessible and engaging, stimulating computational thinking through playful and visual approaches.

One of her main contributions is the creation of educational comic books, developed to teach Computer Science concepts in a didactic and interactive way. In addition, her research in the area of Intellectual Property encourages students to register software, trademarks, and industrial designs and to develop patents, promoting a culture of innovation and intellectual property protection in the academic environment.

She has developed games and comic books adapted for diverse audiences, including Braille versions for visually impaired people, ensuring the materials reach a wider, more varied audience.

In addition to producing these resources, the professor investigates the impact of comic books on education, analyzing how these materials can promote greater engagement and facilitate learning. Her research is based on innovative methodologies for teaching computational thinking, aligned with the UN’s concept of skills to be developed in 21st-century children, such as creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and empathy, reinforcing the importance of these skills in student development.

With this innovative approach, Professor Nunes has broadened the inclusion of Computer Science in basic and higher education, making teaching more accessible and stimulating for different audiences.

Contribution to the PPGI: Professor Nunes emphasizes that her work plays a unique role in the program because it is not focused on the traditional core of Computer Science, but rather on the interface between Computer Science and Education. She believes that the lack of appreciation for Intellectual Property in the program represents a loss of opportunities.

She suggests that many theses could be transformed into patents, thereby strengthening the program’s innovation portfolio and increasing its academic and industrial relevance. She highlights the need for a course on Innovation in Information Systems that explores intellectual property and should be mandatory in postgraduate studies.

Researcher Training: The professor emphasizes that her approach promotes student empowerment, helping them see themselves as protagonists in the job market and in innovation. Her students are encouraged to register software, create trademarks, and develop industrial designs based on the educational comics they create, thus developing applicable projects and preparing themselves for entrepreneurial careers.

She argues that Intellectual Property should be more prominent in academic training, as it helps develop a robust and differentiated portfolio for students, the PPGI-UNIRIO program, and the university.

Main qualities highlighted by Professor Nunes:

1. Innovation and Out-of-the-Box Thinking: The professor has always sought innovative approaches to solve problems and engage students. Her work with educational comics and games demonstrates her ability to transform complex concepts into accessible materials.
2. Interdisciplinarity and Empowerment: Her work integrates Computing, Education, and Intellectual Property, encouraging students to see themselves as creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
3. Social and Academic Impact: She has received awards, including the Tércio Pacitti Award from the Brazilian Computer Society (SBC) in 2022, and in 2024, the INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property) PI in Schools Award in the business category—final training—and the title of EDUCATOR of the Year in STEAM and Intellectual Property. Her comic book production has already reached a wide audience, but quantifying this impact remains a challenge. The project already has over 200 free comic books on its website, https://almanaquesdacomputacao.com.br/.