11/09/2024

#BeyondEquations: an 'Olympic Girl' at IMPA Tech

Maria Eduarda Martins no Porto Maravalley, sede do IMPA Tech

In this episode of #BeyondEquations , we'll tell the story of 18-year-old Maria Eduarda Martins. Originally from Teresina (PI), the student has always had an affinity for mathematics, but it was through the OBMEP (Brazilian Mathematics Olympiad for Public Schools) that she was able to improve her logical reasoning. Her dedication earned her three medals: one gold and two bronzes. Now, at IMPA Tech, she wants to continue her studies and dreams of earning a doctorate.

During her basic education, Maria was a scholarship student at the Dom Barreto Institute, where she studied until completing high school. In 2018, she won her gold medal in the Olympiad. “The school encouraged us. We had preparatory classes and practiced past exams. The first time I took the OBMEP, in 6th grade, I already won a bronze medal. In 7th grade, I left the exam certain that I had done very well,” she stated.

The good performance bore fruit. In Salvador (BA), during the OBMEP National Ceremony , in addition to the gold medal, the student received the "Olympic Girls" award , a trophy for the young women who had the best performance at each level of the test. The IMPA initiative aims to encourage greater female participation in the Olympiad.

Meninas Olímpicas na Premiação da OBMEP 2018

Despite her achievements, her choice of major was still uncertain. Motivated by the challenge, Maria Eduarda took the entrance exams for IME (Military Engineering Institute) and ITA (Technological Institute of Aeronautics) and considered pursuing a career in engineering. “I didn’t see myself studying mathematics, but at the same time I wasn’t sure which major to pursue. I thought about doing engineering because it’s the traditional path for those who like exact sciences,” she said.

In her final year of high school, she decided she wanted to study mathematics. Her goal was to be a researcher, even without knowing exactly what the possibilities were within the field. Through the ENEM (National High School Exam), Maria entered UFPI (Federal University of Piauí) for a bachelor's degree in Mathematics at the beginning of 2024.

However, even with the IMPA Tech selection process open, she still dreamed of coming to Rio de Janeiro. “I saw the news that IMPA was going to inaugurate its first undergraduate course in Mathematics and that the plan was to be like the Brazilian MIT. I was super excited. Imagine studying at the Brazilian MIT?” the student highlighted, comparing the bachelor's degree to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the USA.

With the medals she won in the knowledge olympiads, Maria Eduarda enrolled and achieved her long-awaited acceptance at IMPA Tech. But, in addition to the new course, she would have a new home: Rio de Janeiro, until then unknown to her. “When I arrived here, I was dazzled. I landed at Santos Dumont [airport] and saw the Ferris wheel. I felt like I was in London. On the way to the hotel, I saw so many beautiful churches. I remember it like it was yesterday,” she said.

The financial aid was crucial in the move. “Without the aid, I wouldn’t be here. I started having my own money and began managing my finances. It’s a new responsibility at this stage,” she emphasized.

The classes also delight the young woman from Piauí, who is enjoying the experience in the marvelous city. “The second semester is already easier because I'm more adapted and have my own study rhythm. Besides, I live with my classmates, which is good for studying and for having fun. The dynamic with my roommate is very good, we understand each other,” she concluded.