Maria Silva – Changemaker!

Today, we are kicking off a series of blogs and videos focused on conversations with amazing people from various walks of life who embody the characteristics and practices of changemaking in their lives.  These interviews are structured with the Blue Roads “Changemaker Journey” in mind.  Each conversation centers roughly around four question categories that echo our slogan “Homegrown Solutions for a Patchwork World”:  

• Homegrown: Who are you and how have your home and your “people” influenced you as a changemaker?
• Solutions: What issues have you found important to work on in your life? 
• Patchwork: How have you worked with people different from yourself?  How is doing so important to your work for change in the world?
• World: How has all of this brought out the “changemaker” in you?  What have you done to change the world? What are your plans? Why is it important?    

Introducing Maria Silva, Homegrown Changemaker

We were pleased to kick off the Changemaker Series by talking with an amazing young woman and future astronaut from Brazil, Maria Silva.  Maria is a changemaker who aspires to be Brazil’s first female astronaut.   Our conversation was her first interview conducted entirely in English.  Her story is one of inspiration, dedication, and hard work.  See the video version of the interview here:    Maria Silva Changemaker Interview 

Meet Homegrown Maria  

When Maria was a small child growing up in Mato Grosso, in the city of Tangará da Serra in central Brazil, she looked up in awe at the night sky and saw a spectacular meteor shower. 

It was really brilliant and blue in the sky, and I was maybe seven or eight years old, and I thought, “Oh, my God, what is this? I need to study this!”

This pivotal event early in her childhood sparked a voracious curiosity and desire to understand the wonders of the universe.

Maria actively sought out opportunities to learn and devoured all she could find in her classroom and local library about space and space exploration.  Though she found the resources available to her quite limited, her supportive father let her interest be known.  A local friend built a telescope at home and allowed her to join in their learning.  It wasn’t long before another friend of the family gifted her with a telescope of her very own.  With this new treasure, she quickly found ways to feed her passion and to share it with others.   Maria soon determined that she would embrace the sciences with intention and enthusiasm and do everything in her power to become an astronaut someday. 

I was eight years old, and I saw the first Brazilian astronaut arriving in the International Space Station (on) my television and I thought, “I really want to become an astronaut, too!”

Despite her determination, Maria faced many challenges during her younger years at school. Resources for pursuing her dream were not readily available and many in her community did not fully comprehend her passion. There were not enough materials in her Brazilian public school to study and fully explore the sciences.  Laboratories for research and experimentation were minimal.  At times, people questioned her dreams and failed to understand her vision as a female with such ambitious aspirations.  

Maria would not be moved.  Her character and her supportive father drove her forward in the pursuit of her dreams.

In 2012, my father put an internet at home… …The internet is a universe!

Solution-focused Maria

The issues that Maria encountered as she pursued the rigorous education necessary to reach her career goals did not stop her.  In fact, they motivated her to solve her own problems of access by reaching out and pursuing conversations and mentorship from people like Astronaut Marcos Pontes.    

Initial roadblocks only motivated her to address the issues she was facing holistically with the needs of others in mind.  She was moved to provide materials and greater exposure to the sciences for students in Brazilian schools.  At the early age of 14 years, Maria started the New Horizon Project.  Through this project, students in her neighborhood and beyond were exposed to the wonders of astronomy as Maria took her beloved telescope out into the streets and nearby parks for children and adults alike to get a glimpse of the stars, the planets and exciting astronomical events.

I bring my telescope to the streets so the neighborhood can see things like total eclipse by the moon or eclipse of the sun… I saw that the people love to see planets by the telescope… So I started bringing the telescope to … cultural centers at the city so the people can see the stars by telescope.

With the success and enthusiastic reception to the New Horizon Project, Maria introduced a second project known as “Zero G” (meaning“no gravity”).  The Zero G project helps students with access to STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.   By engaging students in the practice of science with step-by-step explanations, experiments and hands on opportunities, Maria is confident that her work is piquing the interest of other girls to pursue possible careers in the sciences. 

The projects introduced by Maria helped people to actively interact, participate, and conduct small research projects of their own with their newfound ability to witness astronomical wonders. By engaging people in practical application of their learning, she believes that genuine interest sparked ongoing motivation for them to chase dreams of their own.

Maria’s Patchwork World

Maria recognizes the important role that culture plays for people everywhere. She is from a small Brazilian town with a vibrant culture and a tropical climate very different from most of the United States.  Prior to her current studies in Virginia at Sweet Briar College, she reached out and found rich opportunities to visit the United States through NASA as well as a program called “Triple L” (Leadership, Language and Liaison) with Liaison America (www.liaisonamerica.com).

She sees great value in these types of diverse multicultural experiences as a way to bring richness and understanding to her own life.  Learning with and from others across cultures is preparing her to work internationally and interact across language and cultural barriers on the International Space Station someday.  Her secret to success in these environments centers on her capacity to cherish the differences and to work with others in a spirit of caring and good humor.

To become an astronaut …it’s very important to know how to do good work in groups… I think it's really important to take courses in other countries… It's a really good life experience, because you need to meet other people with other cultures, other languages; an experience that (will) change your life.

From Inspired Citizen to Global Changemaker

It’s impressive enough to set an ambitious goal and make a detailed step by step plan to become an astronaut.  It’s amazing how Maria has worked that grand plan with such determination and integrity.  The programs she started as a young student, to inspire and support other young women to dream big dreams and embrace the sciences are bringing those dreams to reality for many.   These are all parts of the amazing world citizen that is Maria Silva. 

But those characteristics and impressive activities are not what makes Maria a changemaker.   What makes Maria a changemaker is her commitment to building a better future through the sciences for all children.    What makes Maria a changemaker is her ambitious plan for after she becomes an astronaut. 

I think I can do a lot of things when I become an astronaut. I think with an astronaut title we'd have some power to make the difference and start building a lot of things like an institute of technology.  It's my dream to build an institute of technology in my country.

This is my goal. My goal is to work with education. My goal is not only (to) go to space but go to space to inspire others and work a way for education to show how important is the education to change lives and change all the world.

I strongly believe that the education is the only way to change the world.

Changemakers by their very definition are working to make the world a better place in big and important ways.  In every changemaker case we’ve found, the leaders are working toward the goals outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (The Global Goals https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/) in some way –  whether they know it or not.  

Maria is no exception.  She is working diligently on the UN Global Goals with special emphasis on Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 5 (Gender Equity) and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities).  We will be watching Maria Silva’s work closely over the coming years and hope you will, too. 

“When I help other people it's like helping myself. And I hope these people will help other people (in return)”                                                                                                        Maria Silva, January 10, 2020

And that, folks, is what makes a CHANGEMAKER!