More than 100 high school students joined the first Open Week at INESC TEC

Between May 7 and 9, INESC TEC welcomed several high school students to showcase the work carried out in the laboratories, as part of an initiative entitled “Come and Discover the Wonderful World of Science and Engineering”.

More than 110 participants had the opportunity to explore the fields of communications, as well as marine, industrial, and agricultural robotics. Rather than simply explaining their work, INESC TEC researchers organised hands-on experiences, providing students with active learning opportunities and direct involvement in scientific progress.

“Investing in early contact between young people and research is an investment in the future of science in Portugal. This initiative reinforces INESC TEC’s commitment to education and the empowerment of new generations, opening doors to career paths with social and technological impact in science, technology, and innovation,” said Aníbal Matos, member of the Board of Directors at INESC TEC.

In the activity “Robótica imersiva – quem quer pilotar robôs? Assume tu o controlo!” students visited the the Industry and Innovation Laboratory (iiLab), focused on industrial robotics, where they had the chance to teleoperate mobile robots using virtual reality, and join an augmented reality experience for robot operation and programming.

As part of agricultural robotics, the TRIBE Lab – INESC TEC’s laboratory infrastructure dedicated to this field – hosted the activity “AgroTech em Ação: Robótica e IoT para um Futuro Sustentável”; in this case, the students learned more about robots and technologies for precision agriculture and forestry, and visited the food production greenhouse known as the GreenTribe. In addition to engaging with technologies and components under development, students also got their “hands dirty” by planting several pots with horticultural crops essential to the lab’s research.

One of the afternoons was dedicated to marine robotics, where students became “ocean explorers” INESC TEC’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems Laboratory; our researchers presented the challenges and current methods of operating in these environments, illustrating the institution’s role in ocean exploration. Students had a practical experience in teleoperating an underwater robot using various environmental sensors.

The week concluded with an activity entitled “Sinais invisíveis: descobre o poder das comunicações”, which involved assembling electronic circuits to transmit wireless signals and configuring WiFi networks.

Aníbal Matos emphasised that “this Open Week is a clear example of INESC TEC’s mission as an institution that seeks to transform science and technology into value for society. By involving young people in our ecosystem and offering them direct contact with our activities, we are inspiring future generations and bringing scientists closer to citizens.”

This was the first edition of INESC TEC’s Open Week for high school students, aimed at introducing younger audiences to the work carried out at the Institute, demystifying various areas of research, and highlighting how students can pursue a career in science. This initiative was able to raise awareness of the institution, our research and innovation developments, showcasing different fields – with a new edition already planned for the coming months.