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At 10 years old, Manuela transforms Minecraft into research on real minerals, publishes a scientific article in 2025, and gains national recognition as the youngest Brazilian to achieve this historic feat
At 10 years old, the girl from Maringá, Manuela Pinto Soares, published a scientific article on Minecraft and geology, was recognized by RankBrasil, and became the youngest Brazilian to achieve this feat after transforming stones from the game into real research.
The study was published in September 2025 under the title “From Blocks to Rocks: An Experience Report Exploring the Differences Between the Minecraft World and Real-Life Geology.”
In her work, Manuela compared elements from the Minecraft universe with real minerals, including obsidian, lapis lazuli, and raw emerald. The recognition from RankBrasil enhanced the visibility of her achievement.
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According to the ranking, the young researcher began her studies a year earlier when she was nine years old. From there, the project took shape until it reached publication.
Book paved the way
Before the scientific article, Manuela had already written a children’s book. The work is titled The Escape of the Panther and was launched in Curitiba last year.
Even so, she wanted to go further. After the book, she decided to try writing a scientific article.
“I had written a book and wanted to do something cool like that, so I wanted to write a scientific article,” said Manuela.
Her mother, Nina Pinto Soares, stated that the idea came entirely from her daughter. According to her, the girl wanted to do something challenging and enjoyed pushing herself.
Minecraft became research
The theme arose from the combination of two passions of the student: Minecraft and the collection of stones that she has always enjoyed making. It was from this union that the comparison between the game and geology emerged.
“She played a lot of Minecraft and always liked collecting stones. So we thought about comparing the rocks from the game with those from real life,” explained her mother.
Manuela studies at Colégio Saint Helena in Maringá and developed the project with guidance from teacher Poliana Barbosa da Riva, who accompanied the entire research process.
Poliana stated that last year, Manuela was in the fourth grade and already demonstrated high abilities. The school has a support project for students with this profile.
According to the teacher, the student has always been very involved with science. The work was built gradually, with monthly meetings and a lot of research.
University and evaluation
During the process, Manuela visited the Geology laboratory at the State University of Maringá. There, she got to know real minerals and learned more about the work of geologists.
“We went to the university, analyzed the rocks, and she chose to study obsidian, lapis lazuli, and raw emerald,” said Nina.
In addition, she presented the project at a science fair in Foz do Iguaçu. University professors and specialists evaluated the work.
“Indeed, it was an important moment because she presented to evaluators, received a medal, and showed that a child can also do real science,” emphasized Poliana.
Real publication and new plans
The teacher explained that the magazine evaluated the article academically before publication. There was peer review, corrections, and validation by specialists.
“It wasn’t just about submitting and publishing. There was peer review, corrections, and validation by specialists. It was a real scientific publication,” she said.
For Nina, following all of this was exciting. She stated that her daughter often says she will do something and actually does it.
Even with the achievement, Manuela has already started a new project. She revealed that she is writing another book and that the text has already reached page 91.
In addition, she maintains a child’s routine, with studies, play, tennis, and crafts. In Maringá, the girl has already left her mark on Brazilian science at a very young age.
With information from Maringá Post.
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