Young Scientist and Young Scientist of the Future Award (Brazil)

For more than 20 years, dozens of researchers have participated in the Young Scientist Award by developing alternatives to solve Brazil's social problems. In 2003, under the theme "Water: Source of Life," one of the winners arrived at the conclusion that certain species of bacteria found in São Paulo reservoirs can cause serious diseases, such as cancer. Another winner discovered that shrimp shells, currently discarded by fishing industries, could be used to clean up rivers.

The Young Scientist of the Future Award, directed at high school students, was created in 1999 to encourage the development of a new generation of investigators. This year, one of the winners developed a simple, low-cost filter to improve the quality of water. Each year, in addition to receiving cash prizes, the winners are celebrated during a ceremony at the presidential palace attended by the Brazilian president and ministers.


Youth House (Uruguay)

Job training was the major project undertaken by Gerdau Laisa in Uruguay in 2003. Introducing youth into the job market is one of the main challenges currently faced by that country.

In 2003, 90 low-income adolescents were trained in vocational courses in the most diverse areas according to the needs of regional companies. The Youth House project is coordinated by the Santa Gema parish and receives the support of the National Youth Institute. The project began in 2000 and since its foundation, has assisted a total of 450 youth from the city of Montevideo.


Gerdau AZA Industrial Design Contest (Chile)

Benefiting communities and recognizing young talents in the area of design and architecture: these are the objectives of the Gerdau AZA Industrial Design Contest in Chile. In 2003, the three winners were: a portable stand for the sale of fruits and vegetables that facilitates the work of small merchants; a tool capable of reducing the physical stress of workers in copper foundries; and a billet that allows workers to easily assemble and disassemble traffic lights, making them reusable. In 2003, 25 Chilean universities participated with 352 projects.


Bicycle Way Project (Argentina)

In the municipality of Pérez, where the Sipar rolling mill is located, the community received new incentive for practicing sports: the lighting of a 2.5 kilometer cycling path.

Concluded in 2003, the path is used daily by more than 500 people. In fact, it is now used by the pedestrians of the region, reducing the risk of accidents for those who before were forced to walk on the road that runs parallel to the cycle path.


Volunteer Work (United States)

During the first half of 2003, a tornado hit the cities of Jackson and Lexington in the state of Tennessee, leaving thousands of houses damaged, completely destroying 42 homes and causing the death of 11 people. In response to the tragedy, Gerdau Ameristeel Jackson and its employees volunteered to assist affected families and coordinate the donation of resources.

In the beginning of 2004, the reconstruction of one of the schools that received support from Gerdau Ameristeel Jackson was started. The classes for the school were being held in temporary locations that did not possess the necessary infrastructure to meet the needs of the approximately 880 children and adolescents of the area. In support of the volunteer efforts of its employees, Gerdau Ameristeel donated 200 tons of fabricated rebar and over 1,000 reinforcing mesh panels to the reconstruction project.


Junior Achievement (Canada)

For the past 10 years, Gerdau Ameristeel Cambridge has supported the Junior Achievement program, which works as a true school of entrepreneurship. The initiative encourages the entrance of youth into the world of business.

In 2003, unit employees served as consultants for Frosted Images, a company formed by 23 high school students. The students produce and sell framed engravings made on mirrors. The technique employed is etching, the process of making designs or pictures by the corrosive action of an acid.

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