The Shell NXplorers Brazil 2025 programme is bringing together the next generation of innovators to tackle urgent challenges in their local communities. This year, students from schools across Brazil are exploring complex problems through NX Thinking, applying systems thinking, scenario planning and strategic innovation to develop solutions with real-world impact.
At the programme’s finale, two standout teams demonstrated how creativity, collaboration and social responsibility can drive meaningful change.
Maura-NX team: turning waste into nutrition
The Maura-NX team turned sugarcane bagasse (fibrous material left behind after harvesting sugarcane), an often-overlooked byproduct of Brazil’s sugar industry, into nutritious flour for children. Their project addressed two local issues: child malnutrition and waste management. By blending scientific knowledge with social awareness, the students developed an affordable, safe and scalable solution that supports health and sustainability.
Maura-NX team present cupcakes made with sugarcane bagasse flour
Throughout the project, the team demonstrated exceptional planning and collaboration, from sourcing bagasse to testing nutritional value. The team refined the flour for better food preparation and partnered with the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo to develop new products from bagasse peel – one challenge they plan to tackle in 2025.
Hidro Shell Team: cultivating sustainability with hydroponics
The Hidro Shell team reimagined sustainable agriculture by designing a passive hydroponic system powered by solar energy and enriched with biofertilizer from a school biodigester. Building on the legacy of their previous Shell NXplorers cohorts, they refined nutrient balance and integrated new techniques to boost efficiency and impact.
Hidroshell team awarded for their innovative project
Their collaborative spirit extended beyond their own group, involving peers, alumni and local partners. The system reduces dependence on chemical fertilisers, promotes circular economy practices and offers a replicable model for other schools and farms, demonstrating both environmental and social benefits.
Both teams showed the power of NX Thinking in action: linking systems, blending creativity with scientific know-how, and turning ideas into real solutions. Their projects prove that when young people are given the right tools and opportunities, they can tackle complex societal challenges and help build a healthier, more sustainable future.
