Five minutes before the doors opened, all those involved in the organisation of the event gathered together for a group photo. The Open Day at Técnico – Taguspark campus was about to begin and everyone was smiling enthusiastically to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the campus.
The event started at 10 a.m. and brought together more than 600 visitors who had the opportunity to participate in several hands-on activities, workshops and classes, visit research labs, and learn more about science.
Several scientific experiments and demonstrations organised by Research Centres and Student Groups/Clubs took place in the main hall, which included: Natural Language Processing (INESC-ID), Magnetism and Biosensors (INESC-MN), supply chain management of a chocolate bar (CEGIST), ARCADE and Ozobot activities (ITI/LARSYS), games showcase (GameDev), emotiphAl Core, PhysioLounge and Smart Stethoscope activities (ScientISST – IT), scientific projects developed by the Industrial Engineering and Management Student Group (NEEGI), electric motorcycle (TLMoto), São Rafael 02 boat (Técnico Solar Boat), H2 test bench (Técnico Fuel Cell), prototypes (PSEM), physics experiments (NFIST), mousetrap car (Fórum Mecânica) and a prototype plane (Aerotéc). The Student Support Unit (NAPE) team provided information about the Técnico academic programmes to the many visitors. In addition, culture and art were celebrated with a selection of Digital Paintings resulting from the exhibitions included in the “Viver a Cultura @ Técnico Taguspark” project.
The talk “Explain it like I’m 5 – How to make video games?” with Rui Prada started at 11 a.m. At the same time, several hands-on activities organised by Rob9-16 and the Electronics Engineering Student Group (N3E) took place, where participants of all ages could explore their skills. The activities included welding a plate from start to finish, building an electric circuit (“Soldadura com Electrónica”), programming activities for beginners (“Pisca-Pisca com Arduino”) and decoding words with codes (“Criptomiúdos”). “My kids are busy welding and I ended up staying here trying to crack the codes. It’s funny!”, says one of the participants.
The Open Day also included sports activities – Ricardo Chaves, Filipe Colaço and Filipe António taught some Ninjutsu techniques – and rockets launch – Two rockets, built by the visitors and the organisers of the Rocket Workshop (AeroTéc Red), were launched. The nervousness among the participants was visible on their faces. “Let’s hope the rocket flies!”, said one of the participants. After the launch countdown, the rocket successfully lifted off.
Research Laboratories
After the check-in procedures, several groups of people, families and friends gathered at the “Meeting Point” waiting to be taken to the research laboratories they had chosen to visit. Right next door was the Game Lab, where visitors could play video games developed by the students, some more educational, others more adventurous, and explore virtual reality headsets.
On the same floor, the IST NanoSat Lab visitors had the opportunity to observe a nanosatellite currently under development. Opposite, the Aerial and Marine Robotics Studio (ISR) was starting a demonstration of a drone programmed for fire detection, to more than two dozen people.
On floor 1, in the Physics Lab, visitors could see sound waves and light refraction experiments, among many others. On the opposite side, the Stem Cell Engineering Research Group explained how the different equipment is useful for their research and how stem cells can be useful not only for human health but also for the food industry.
On floor 2, the Social Robotics Lab (GAIPS/INESC-ID), one of the most crowded, caught the attention of many visitors. ” It’s amazing to see how technology changed our lives! It’s awesome!” says Mariana, mother of a 4-year-old girl who could not take her eyes off the “Astro” robot that “speaks” Portuguese and was programmed to interact with humans, more particularly with autistic people.
Moments to Remember
The event had two remarkable moments. Firstly, the performance of TMIST at lunchtime. Later on, at 4.30 p.m., the Happy Birthday moment to Técnico – Taguspark campus, preceded by the speech of Rogério Colaço, President of Instituto Superior Técnico.
The Solemn Session, which took place afterwards, brought together the Vice-Rector of Universidade de Lisboa, professor Cecília Rodrigues, the Councillor of the Oeiras City Hall, Dr Pedro Patacho, the President of Instituto Superior Técnico, professor Rogério Colaço and the Vice-President of Instituto Superior Técnico for the management of Taguspark campus, professor Helena Galhardas. The session ended with a musical performance by the NEBUCHADNEZZAR GROUP.
