Science for All at Técnico – Oeiras Campus Open Day
On May 24, Instituto Superior Técnico – Oeiras Campus opened its doors once again to the community for another edition of its Open Day. This year, the event was part of the Oeiras Valley Science Festival, organized by the Municipality of Oeiras, and attracted visitors of all ages — from curious individuals and families to prospective students.
Throughout the day, participants had the opportunity to explore research laboratories, take part in hands-on scientific and technological activities, and engage directly with researchers and students — getting a closer look at the work being done at Técnico – Oeiras Campus.
The campus atrium was transformed into an active learning space, filled with demonstrations and workshops led by research centers and student groups.
At the Rob 9-16 stand, Afonso Gonçalves, an Electronic Engineering student, shared: “It’s my first time at the Open Day. I hope to attract people interested in engineering, because it’s a world full of possibilities. It’s great when more people feel welcomed and find a project that speaks to them.”
“We’ve got activities for all ages — from a beginner-friendly ‘Blink’ project using Arduino, where LEDs flash faster or slower with a potentiometer, to paper circuits for the younger ones — a fun introduction to electronics.”
Leonor, age 11, was one of the many young participants involved in the activities: “I tested my brain, looked at electric conduction and I’ll go see the robotics section next” she said, while working on her paper circuit.
Meanwhile, scheduled lab tours welcomed visitors throughout the day.
The Stem Cell Bioengineering Lab, NanoSat Lab, Social Robotics Lab (GAIPS – INESC-ID), and others introduced guests to the cutting-edge technologies developed at Técnico.
Renata, age 13, expressed her enthusiasm: “I’m learning about careers I could pursue in the future. My favorite activity was the stem cell bioengineering one — they told us about a gel they use to create food, like meat and fish, from other cells.”
At the Institute for Systems and Robotics, 11-year-old Diogo was captivated by a live demonstration of an autonomous underwater vehicle: “I’ve controlled remote-controlled cars before, but never a real drone or an underwater one. It’s my first time seeing it live.”
His mother, Ana Farinha, emphasized the importance of these experiences: “These kinds of events help kids slowly understand what the real world is like and spark curiosity for the future.”
The Open Day was also a valuable opportunity for many young visitors to start imagining their academic journey.
At the Student Support stand, questions about courses, accommodation, campus life, and extracurricular activities were addressed.
Gabriel Gabriel, a Management and Industrial Engineering student and student support guide, highlighted frequent concerns: “A lot of people ask if it’s hard to get into Técnico. The truth is, it takes dedication, but it’s not impossible. And here at the Oeiras Campus, the environment is really welcoming — students feel right at home.”
Tiago Cunha, one of the prospective students, made the most of the day: “I’m really enjoying this event — I’ve already learned more about the Industrial Engineering and Management course and now I’m going to tour the facilities.”
With activities for all ages and a welcoming team ready to engage with every visitor, the 2025 edition of the Técnico – Oeiras Campus Open Day stood out for its energy, curiosity and spirit of discovery.