Cardano for STEM Brazilian students

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

Learning blockchain technology is fundamental for the next generation of Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM) students since they can apply this technology to improve fields such as cryptocurrency, supply chain, data management, healthcare, governance, and others. Even so, there is a lack of courses in our Brazilian institutions related to this important topic. Most students interested in learning about this technology need to dominate English and attend international online classes about this subject. This proposal aims to provide free lectures given in Portuguese for engineering and natural science students about Blockchain and Cardano from a scientific perspective. 

We will offer an introductory course on Blockchain and Cardano at a Brazilian University. The classes will be part in-person at the University of Pernambuco, Brazil, and part on the online platform zoom with a total of 10 hours.

The audience will be Brazilian STEM undergraduate and graduate students, and the lecturers will be doctors in Physics.

Course: Introduction to Blockchain Technology and Cardano

syllabus:

1. Introduction to blockchain technology 
2. Security concepts in blockchain
3. Cryptology of blockchain
4. Differences between the crypto networks 
5. Consensus on blockchain
6. Cryptocurrencies Bitcoin and Ethereum 
7. Third generation blockchain
8. Blockchain to improve the business
9. Proof-of-work versus proof-of-stake
10. Introduction to Cardano
11. Decentralized application and smart contracts 
12. Staking and rewards
13. Future perspectives

[IMPACT] Please describe how your proposed solution will address the Challenge that you have submitted it in.

Introducing the blockchain and Cardano technologies to STEM students will ignite this field of research and its applications in our institutions, companies, startups, and communities. We believe academia is crucial for attracting new Brazilian high-qualified members to the Cardano ecosystem. Moreover, we expect these students will be multipliers of these tools inside their communities. Providing knowledge about blockchain and Cardano protocol will revolutionize how STEM students deal with challenging daily problems. This project will also help to disseminate Cardano in Latin America. 

[IMPACT] What are the main risks that could prevent you from delivering the project successfully and please explain how you will mitigate each risk?

The risk is minimal. The lecturers are highly qualified for the work. The content will be available online and with free access. The course will be disclosed to Brazilian STEM students in their native Portuguese language.

[FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed plan, including timeline and key milestones for delivering your proposal.

Month 1 Milestone: Courses preparations

1. Disclose the course for STEM students in Engineering and Science in our local University.
2. Communication with the community: engage students, professionals, and enthusiasts using Twitter, Facebook, Telegram, Slack, and Instagram posts and discussions.
3. Selection of students
4. Preparation of class notes and presentations on blockchain. 
5. Registration of the students in the online education platform.

Months 2 and 3 Milestone: Material, Lessons & Challenges

1. Course starts / Welcome Class!
2. Classes are given every week at an online platform covering the proposed syllabus.
3. Interaction with students and assistance with questions after class.
4. Preparation of tests and scores.
5. Engaging students in the Cardano Community during the course.
6. Monitoring of discussion groups on the topic of study. 
7. Engaging students in the Cardano Community during the course. 
8. Course closing. 
9. Preparation of report regarding the proposed project with analysis of the results and future perspectives. 
10. Issue certificates for the students. 

[FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown.

Requested funds: USD 5000

The funds will be used along three months as described below:

Books expenses (USD 250)

Marketing (USD 200)

Websites (USD 100)

Services (USD 250)

Professor payment (USD 4200)

The classes will be free for the students.

[FEASIBILITY] Please provide details of the people who will work on the project.

Gilvania, the proposer, is a doctor in Physics and an associate professor at a Brazilian Engineering College (Pernambuco University), with experience in condensed matter physics, computing, and data analysis. Gilvania has experience teaching classes for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics courses since 2007. She is a researcher in spintronics and has worked in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, USA, since 2017. Her education in Physics includes completing a B.S. degree With High Honors Award, an MSc. degree with Distinction Award, and a Ph.D. degree from the Federal University of Pernambuco. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilvaniavilela/

[FEASIBILITY] If you are funded, will you return to Catalyst in a later round for further funding? Please explain why / why not.

Yes. We intend to become a hub o educational content on Blockchain and Cardano for Brazilian STEM students. We intend to offer every semester courses on this technology in the Engineering College of University of Pernambuco. The classes and contents will be in Brazilian native language Portuguese.

[FEASIBILITY] Are you or any member of your team working on any other proposals in this Fund9?

[FEASIBILITY] Are you or your team working on any other proposals from previous Funds?

[AUDITABILITY] Please describe what you will measure to track your project's progress, and how will you measure these?

Number of access and views on the online class platform

Number of questions on the Q&A service

Student’s feedback

[AUDITABILITY] What does success for this project look like?

There are not many projects to disseminate blockchain technology in Brazilian academia. We believe it is time for our students to learn about blockchain and Cardano from a scientific perspective. It is also time for scientists and professors to get involved. We want the University of Pernambuco becomes a hub of educational content in Blockchain and Cardano. 

[AUDITABILITY] Please provide information on whether this proposal is a continuation of a previously funded project in Catalyst or an entirely new one.

This project is a continuation of a funded project in Fund7 (https://cardano.ideascale.com/c/idea/381790). The project will continue, as we intend to create a hub of blockchain and Cardano technology in a Brazilian University. The first project funded in Fund7 was a success and the students are waiting for more.