NAO robot and educational robotics at the Maceió Library Park
How Somai helped Rede Areté bring technology to 1,052 children in Benedito Bentes
Public data from the City of Maceió and Rede Areté (2025–2026).
Summary
The Library Park (CEU das Artes) is located in Benedito Bentes, the second most populous neighborhood in Maceió. Opened in July 2025 with a municipal investment of R$ 7.3 million, it brings together reading, art, sports, bilingual education and technology in after-school hours. The space is managed by Rede Areté in partnership with the City of Maceió (Semed) and Brazil's Ministry of Culture. Somai supplied the NAO humanoid robot and LEGO Education robotics kits and trained the Park's staff to use them in everyday teaching.
A space made to be lived
The client
Rede Areté is a civil society organization that, since 2013, has implemented public policies in education, culture and social assistance in partnership with governments. In Benedito Bentes, it operates the Library Park under the supervision of the Municipal Department of Education. The space serves elementary school students from nearby municipal schools and opens on Saturdays to the whole community through the Open School program.
The challenge
Bringing cutting-edge technology to an underserved neighborhood without it becoming just a showcase. The Park needed:
- resources that sparked curiosity in children from early childhood to elementary school;
- robotics activities led continuously by the space's own team;
- a bridge between technology, reading, bilingualism and community life, the project's core pillars.
The solution
NAO humanoid robot
A programmable social robot that speaks several languages, dances, recognizes people and leads playful activities. Somai is the exclusive NAO distributor in Brazil.
LEGO Education kits
The foundation of educational robotics and maker classes, with building, programming and team problem-solving.
Teacher training
Somai trained the Park's team to plan and lead activities with NAO and the kits, ensuring autonomy in their use.
From the robot's arrival to the Park's routine
Before the opening
NAO visited municipal schools and daycare centers. Children danced, sang and took part in a quiz with the robot; in early childhood classes, activities worked on laterality, memory and motor coordination.
Team trained
The Park's team was hired and trained before activities began.
Opening
The Park opened, with robotics among its after-school activities.
Year-end showcase
At the end of the first year, families watched the robotics classes.
Knowledge, community and the digital world
Results
In its first year of operation, according to Rede Areté:
- more than 2,000 places offered to 7 schools within a 4 km radius, with 20 hours per week of full-time education;
- more than 6,000 workshops held;
- 25,000 community visits served through the Open School program.
In the Park's learning recovery program, 72% of students improved reading fluency, 67% improved their writing and 83% improved basic math performance.
Learning indicators refer to the Park's program as a whole.
What people say about the Park
“Here, students engage with new languages, technologies and cultural activities that enrich their education.”
Guilherme Costa, Parque Biblioteca coordinator (Rede Areté)“Here we have a space equipped with the most modern resources.”
JHC, mayor of Maceió“This robotics work is very important; I'm very happy our early childhood center was included.”
Rita de Cássia, principal of CMEI Luiz Calheiros Júnior, about the NAO robot's visit“I always wanted to learn robotics and now I can.”
Marcos, 10, Park studentStatements published by the City of Maceió and the local press (2024–2025).
Bring this model to your city
Is your city, consortium or department planning an arts center, a library park, a full-time school or a maker lab? Somai has worked in educational technology for over 35 years and is the exclusive NAO robot distributor in Brazil. We deliver the complete package: equipment, teacher training and ongoing support, with experience in partnerships between government and civil society organizations.
Frequently asked questions
Want to learn more about the robot? Read also (in Portuguese): O que é o robô NAO?
Want to bring technology, culture, and education together in your community?
Somai EdTech
With more than 35 years of experience, Somai is a strategic partner for technology projects connected to education and people. Talk to our team.