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Presentations

In order to share the results of their research, Projeto BIRA has created presentations and assemblies for children, adolescents and adults. These presentations use games and toys to show how people live in the rainforest. While celebrating diversity, these presentations also bring cultures together, with play.

Each presentation lasts about an hour and includes a dynamic mix of:

  • short-film projections (lasting about 4 minutes each)
  • unique toy, object and game demonstrations
  • tales from their journey


Created for children upwards of 3, the age range of our public determines what strategies we will use to present, and the possibilities for discussion at the end.

The general script of our presentation is to take the audience on a trip around Brazil’s Amazon. We make “stops” in communities, and at each one we introduce the audience to a child that we encountered.  We show a big portrait of the child, say a little about him or her, elaborate a little on the community he or she lives in, and then we show something that has to do with him or her: a toy, video, or story. All in all, the audience leaves understanding the following aspects of life in the Amazon:

  • a child’s relationship with family, friends and the surrounding forest
  • basic elements of day to day life, including food, houses, school, and more
  • toymaking with natural objects
  • specific regional games
  • games that are recognizable by children the world over, hence the term:  “children’s culture”


By the end, we want audience members to recognize themselves within Amazonian life and culture, through the eyes of the children that live there, and through their most beautiful forms of expression: their toys and games.

The presentations have two general ways of happening:

PRESENTATION I – (for auditoriums, all-purpose rooms, and any other space that holds lots of people)

  • This presentation can be anywhere from 35-90 minutes.
  • For children, adolescents or adults, or any mix thereof.
  • There is no maximum number of people for these presentations; we just ask that the audience is comfortably situated with unobstructed vision.
  • The videos need to be shown with an LCD projector. Mics are usually required.


PRESENTATION II – (in classrooms, libraries, or for small groups)

  • We suggest that this presentation be at least 50 minutes.
  • For groups of children, adolescents, or adults.
  • Maximum audience is 35.
  • This presentation includes “hands-on” experiences with the games and toys being presented.
  • The videos can be shown on a TV or LCD projector.


If you would like more information about our presentations, please send us an email.

Have a look at some of the questions our presentations have generated from elementary school children:
  • Did you learn how to make all those toys too?
  • How were the kids able to do all that?
  • Did you have fun in the Amazon?
  • How do feel when you travel a lot?
  • Does this fish tongue have teeth?
  • The kids don’t cut themselves when they use the machetes?
  • Are the kids afraid of the dark?
  • What was the top’s secret?
  • Did you learn all of their games?
  • Did they mind you filming them?
  • Are there doctors and dentists in the forest? How are they paid?
  • How were the kids able to find the same tree a day later?
  • What do they do when it rains?
  • What happens if it floods?
  • Do they ever use the machetes for protection?
  • Are there a lot of animals that can hurt kids?
Where we've spun

IN THE UNITED STATES


SCHOOLS:

Sherwood High School, Montgomery County, MD            date: 04/28/2006
Clemens Crossing, Howard County, MD                date: 04/27/2006
Ft. Hunt Elementary, Fairfax County, VA                date: 04/26/2006
Mantua Elementary, Fairfax County, VA                date: 04/25/2006    
Greenbriar West Elementary, Fairfax County, VA            date: 04/21/2006    
Mount Eagle Elementary, Fairfax Country, VA            date: 04/20/2006
Green Acres School, Rockville, MD    (4th Graders)            date: 04/19/2006    
Ridgeview Middle School, Montgomery County, MD            date: 04/18/2006
Terra Center Elementary School, Burke VA                date: 05/03/2005
Flower Valley Elementary School, Montgomery County, MD    date: 04/29/2005
Piney Branch Elementary School, Montgomery County, MD    date: 04/28/2005
Green Acres School, Rockville, MD    (4th Graders)            date: 04/26/2005
Sherwood High School, Montgomery County, MD            date: 04/25/2005
Parkmont School, Washington D.C. (high school kids)        date: 05/07/2004
Sherwood High School, Montgomery County, MD            date: 01/05/2004
Rock Creek Forest Elementary, Montgomery County, MD        date: 12/22/2004
Cold Springs Elementary School, Montgomery County, MD        date: 12/21/2004
Lexington Waldorf School, Lexington MA (middle school kids)    date: 05/10/2004
Barnsley Elm. School, Montgomery County (PTA Parents Night)    date: 04/22/2004
Green Acres School, Rockville, MD    (4th Graders)              date: 04/21/2004
The Maret School (elementary) Washington, D.C.             date: 04/16/2004
The Maret School (middle) Washington, D.C.             date: 04/16/2004
Forest Knolls Elementary School, Montgomery County, MD        date: 04/15/2004
Kemp Mill Elementary School, Montgomery County, MD        date: 01/07/2004
Barnsley Elementary School, Montgomery County, MD        date: 01/06/2004
Meadow Hall Elementary School, Montgomery County, MD     date: 12/22/2003
Kemp Mill Elementary School, Montgomery County, MD        date: 04/16/2003
Parkmont School, Washington, D.C. (high school kids)        date: 04/15/2003

LIBRARIES, UNIVERSITIES, CULTURAL CENTERS AND COMPANIES

La Peña Cultural Center, Berkeley, CA                date: 05/10/2005
Berkeley Public Library -- West Branch, Berkeley, CA        date: 05/11/2005
San Francisco State University                    date: 05/13/2005
Berkeley Public Library -- Main Branch, Berkeley, CA        date: 05/14/2005
Mattel Inc. –  El Segundo, CA                    date: 05/05/2005

IN BRAZIL


SCHOOLS:
Escola Beit Yacoov – São Paulo
Escola St. Pauls – São Paulo
Escola Chapel – São Paulo
Escola Lourenço Castanho – São Paulo
Escola Móbile – São Paulo
Escola Pacaembú – São Paulo
Escola Red Brick – São Paulo
Escola Rudolf Steiner – São Paulo
Escola St. Nicholas – São Paulo
Escola Viva – São Paulo
CEU Paz – São Paulo
CEU Campo Limpo – São Paulo
CEU Navegantes – São Paulo
CEU Inácio Monteiro – São Paulo
CEU Rosa da China – São Paulo
CEU Três Lagos – São Paulo
CEU Vila Curuçá – São Paulo
CEU Perus – São Paulo
CEU Parque Veredas  – São Paulo

CONGRESSES:
World Education Forum – São Paulo - SP
XV  IPA (International Play Association) World Conference – São Paulo
V   Education Week at the USP Faculty of Education - São Paulo - SP
IX International Games Colloquium – Ouro Preto - MG
Amazon in Focus Seminary  – São Paulo - SP
XI Ciclo de Estudos: Seminário sobre Cultura & Imaginário - São Paulo – SP
Faculty of Psychology at the Federal University of Uberlândia – Uberlândia - MG

COMPANIES:
Mattel Brasil – São Paulo – SP
Natura Cosméticos – Cajamar - SP

NGOS, CULTURAL CENTERS AND OTHERS:
Livraria da Vila – São Paulo - SP
Projeto Aprendiz – São Paulo - SP
Colmeia – Instituição à Serviço da Juventude – São Paulo - SP
Aliança pela Infância – São Paulo - SP
Bibliotecas Municipais da Cidade de São Paulo – SP