Mizzou Academy Hosts Annual Action Research Showcase at ESPM in São Paulo, SP

Published on Dec. 17, 2025

“Our 2025 theme called for projects that accelerate human rights, peace efforts, and sustainable development, both for today and future generations,” said Mizzou Academy Executive Director Kathryn Fishman-Weaver to an auditorium of high school student researchers, teachers, coordinators, and proud families. “And you,” she continued, addressing the student researchers directly, “did not disappoint.”

December 5, 2025, marked the second annual action research poster showcase hosted by Mizzou Academy at Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing (ESPM) in São Paulo, SP.  Students from the following Mizzou Academy partner schools in Brazil participated in the event: Colegio Fênix, IEPROL, Drummond, Jean Piaget, Agostiniano São José do Rio Preto, Dante Alighieri, Colegio Singular, and Magno. The theme for the 2025 Action Research Challenge came from the United Nations  “Declaration for Future Generations.”

Environmental Impact for Future Generations

Each researcher read the 2025 theme through their unique perspective. These different interpretations remind us of the complexities, interconnectedness, and challenges we have in designing projects that safeguard future generations. While several students focused on environmental impact, Júlia Fernanda Lemos Escola, a ninth grade student from Colégio Agostiniano São José, was the only one to address the wildfire crisis in Brazil. 

Recognizing the fragility of our ecosystems and the important role each of us play in caring for the environment, Júlia spent her semester publishing a flyer on wildfire prevention strategies and resources. She then educated her community on how to use these resources. 

Júlia’s project, titled “Wildfire Prevention Practice: Raising Awareness,” won first prize in our Community Impact category. The committee celebrated the way she purposefully built on the important work of organizations in her community, including Operação SP Sem Fogo, Prevfogo, SOS Amazônia, and SOS Mata Atlântica. As the committee shared at our awards ceremony, “Not only did Júlia leverage this expertise, she found a way to bring her own voice in to fill a gap in knowledge.  Her work in educational outreach is already playing a role in preventing wildfires and raising awareness.”

Compassion for Vulnerable Future Generations

Three student research projects included field work at GACC (Group for the Support of Children with Cancer), a non-profit institution in Bahia that provides food, education, and care for children who are receiving treatment for cancer. These projects were organized by student leaders at Colegio IEPROL.  

One of the projects, “Therapeutic Reading as a Resource for the Mental Health of Children in Cancer Treatment,” was conducted by Ana Júlia Oliveira Dantas. Her project included a book drive, English lessons, and reading celebration. In addition to the sustainable impact of the project, Ana Júlia also demonstrated courage and vulnerability by making personal connections to her own health journey and the important role reading has played in her healing process. 

Ana Júlia wrote of the project, “More than books were given; hope was shared. With each smile, I recognized the same power that once saved me: the power of education. Just as reading gave me the strength to transform my pain into purpose, I believe it can also heal and inspire each of these children. The donated books represent my legacy to future generations, living proof that teaching is caring, and that reading is an act of resistance.” 

Action Research–Cycles of Sensemaking

“This event has become one of my favorite school days of the year,” says Fishman-Weaver, who directs the annual action research showcase. In addition to seeing the impact of the projects, she also enjoys supporting our students as they grow in their action research skillset. Action research is learning through cycles of observation, action, and reflection. As an action researcher, the students who participate in this showcase identify challenges in their community, brainstorm solutions, test them in a real-world setting, and reflect on the results. 

The student researchers who joined us for the showcase brought work that “validates the power of youth leadership and their ability to make change now,” says Lisa DeCastro, Mizzou Academy Elementary Coordinator and active member of the Action Research Showcase Committee. “Participation in the action research showcase not only demonstrates our students’ commitment to solving complex world problems, but it also requires bravery and humility, as their work is judged against their peers’.”

Pedro Henrique Drummond Bertrand Spalding from Colegio Fênix won first prize in the category of Creativity and Critical Thinking. Combining sophisticated qualitative and quantitative research, his project aimed to strengthen the backbone of the Brazilian economic system: small and micro-businesses. He is already actively advising on this topic, helping to make school-based candy sales more sustainable. 

In his project titled “Sustainable Economy for Future Generations: Dynamic Pricing Optimization for Micro and Small Businesses in Brazil,” Pedro writes, “When young researchers apply science with empathy, communities grow. Shops stay open, families keep their livelihood, and future entrepreneurs inherit a more sustainable and equitable economic path. This is our commitment to future generations: transforming knowledge into opportunity.” 

At the awards ceremony, the committee shared that “we don’t always think of financial advisors as essential workers in the work for a more sustainable future, but in alignment with SDG 1: No Poverty, Pedro reminds us why we should.” 

Prototyping and Protecting the Planet We Call Home

Prototyping, design thinking, and presentation were essential skills demonstrated at the 2025 showcase. Jeff Healy, who leads our Speech and Debate courses, shared that he “really enjoyed seeing the students’ presentation skills come through in a real world scenario.” He continued, “I enjoyed all the skills on display, from their verbal articulation to their nonverbal engagement through posture, gestures, and eye contact.” 

Among the excellent presentations at the showcase, two projects stood out for the way they demonstrated action research principles. “The Sweetness that Fights the Poison” by Sofia Moreira de Melo Buozi and Manuela Nogueira Ibanez de Mendonça from Colegio Dante Alighieri has already been through several iterations. It included the development of a 3D print model–designed in Tinkercad and made from sugarcane–to address illegal mining in the Amazon, particularly in Indigenous communities that are disproportionately affected by this issue. 

The student researchers write, “Canafiltra strengthens Indigenous rights by offering an accessible method to reduce mercury exposure and restore river ecosystems essential to food security. By combining low-cost biomaterials with AI-guided monitoring, the project delivers a realistic and scalable solution for high-risk regions. This initiative promotes environmental justice, supports community well-being, and aligns local action with global sustainability goals for present and future generations.” 

Also using 3D print technology, our first prize in the action research category went to João Calisto Zerbetto and Lucas Braz from Colegio Magno. This team developed compact urban solar filters to address air pollution challenges in São Paulo. 

They write, “To ensure that our proposal moved beyond theory, we followed a full action-research cycle: observing air conditions in São Paulo, designing a solution, building prototypes, testing them, and refining the model.” João and Lucas went above and beyond in their work this semester. Not only did they complete their project, they also included links to a fully developed, publish-ready, 23-page research article, as well as photos and videos to add dimensionality and address any questions our reviewers might have about the project. After the judging was complete, the committee learned that João is already organizing yet another human rights project. 

“I often share that I have tremendous hope in the world our students will lead,” said Fishman-Weaver at the showcase closing.  “João, Lucas, and all the student researchers who presented today are the leaders our world needs.” 

Leadership and Research Skills

Tomás Nersessian Baracat and Melissa and Catharina de Carvalho Nemoto Matsui returned to the showcase for a second year. Collectively, these three student researchers from Colegio Dante Alighieri have led important projects on mental health, belonging, critical thinking, and school safety. 

“Experiences like this are so important for learning,” said Tomás. “Every time I present my research, I make new connections.” 

Following the showcase, Fishman-Weaver asked these three student leaders to co-present a special session with her at the Mizzou Academy Teaching and Learning Conference. The session covered action research in the high school classroom and introduced a revised Capstone class offered in our CoTeach Program. 

“Tomás, Melissa, and Catharina were incredible,” said Fishman-Weaver. “They showed teachers what is possible when we give students opportunities to engage in work that matters to them and their communities.” 

When asked if the students will be back with the new projects for the 2026 showcase, all three nodded enthusiastically. “Oh yes,” said Catharina, “we have plans to continue this work.” 

Congratulations to all our 2025 student researchers listed below.

Thank you to ESPM for hosting us, for your partnership with this event, and for most of the photographs featured in this story.