Dow Partners with the Rio 2016 to Provide an Education Program for Brazil

The official Chemical Company of the Olympic Games partners with Transforma to bring science education to 180 new schools in seven municipalities throughout Brazil

Dow, the official Chemical Company of the Olympic Games and an Official Partner of Carbono do Rio 2016, is a supporter of Transforma, an education program of the Rio 2016 Olympic Organizing Committee. Through this partnership, Dow is contributing to the cultural legacy of the Games, providing science and environmental education to the program. The initiative is offered in seven municipalities in Brazil: Guaruja, Jacarei, Pindamonhangaba, Franco da Rocha, Jundiaí (State of São Paulo), Salvador and Candeias (Bahia), training educators in more than 180 new schools. “The support from Dow enables us to bring the world’s largest event to an even greater number of schools, expanding the legacy of the Rio 2016 Games,” said Vanderson Berbat, Director of Education for Rio 2016.

With the support of Dow more subjects will be offered, such as physics, chemistry, biology and the environment, all applied in the context of the Olympic Games. The objective is to encourage the next generation of Brazilian scientists, engineers and mathematicians.

“Through Transforma we have a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the improvement of science education across the country, “says Flavia Venturoli, director of communications and government relations for Dow Latin America.

With this expansion of Transforma, Dow and Rio 2016 are training coordinators, physical education teachers and coaches. The program also receives the support of local governments and State and Municipal Departments of Education and Sports in the seven cities where Dow is present.

Transforma

Transforma is an education program of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Para Olympic Organizing Committee and is present in 9,146 schools, impacting approximately five million students. Education has traditionally been one of the goals of the Olympic Games in the modern era. For this reason, the launch of the Education Program demonstrates the commitment that every host city has to ensure the social legacy of the event.

The objective of Transforma, which began in 2013, is to expand athletic programs in public and private schools and to provide activities that highlight the values of the Olympic and Paralympic athletes. The program offers free educational materials, athletic training courses, classroom content and activities, school competition and support for new trends in sports.

The program has operated with in person representation in the following states: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Amazonas and the Federal District.  With the support from Dow, Bahia has now been added to the program. Distance leaning programs are offered to all Brazilian states and two districts of Portugal. In Rio de Janeiro the program integrates the public policies of the city.