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This article discusses the results and psychosocial outcomes of a research program connected with the University of São Paulo’s Pre-University Scientific Initiation Program. The research, carried out by the Institute of Psychology in partnership with the two state technical schools in the Vale do Ribeira region of São Paulo, aimed to describe the community-based tourism projects developed by two traditional communities of the region: firstly, the community of Ivaporunduva (a quilombo or community of the descendents of runaway slaves) and secondly, the caiçara community (traditional fishermen) of Marujá. It concludes that the Pre-University Scientific Initiation Program has great potential to strengthen the relationships between schools and communities. Furthermore, the research developed in partnership with communities and schools makes possible the development of knowledge about the territory that may be fundamental to the development of a sense of rootedness and of movements of resistance against globalization and mundialization.