A pedagogical innovation project proposed by Instituto de Telecomunicações (IT) researcher Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas and Marcelino Bicho dos Santos, Professor of Técnico and researcher at INESC-ID, has been selected for funding under the Pedagogical Innovation Projects (PIP) program at Instituto Superior Técnico.
The project, HERO - Hub for Education and Research on Optoelectronics, was among just 13 initiatives selected from 38 proposals submitted to this year's call. This program, promoted by Técnico's Pedagogical Council with the support of the Scientific Council and the Management Board, supports innovative projects that enhance teaching and learning through new pedagogical approaches.
HERO received €10,000 in funding from the PIP, complemented by an additional €2,000 through the DEEC-Proj call of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (DEEC).
The project aims to bridge education and research by creating an integrated ecosystem where students actively participate in the design, development and adaptation of experimental equipment for optoelectronics. Rather than relying solely on commercial laboratory instruments, students will contribute to building and improving devices such as spectrometers, wavelength sensors, optical alignment systems, microscopes, spectrum analysers, spectroscopy platforms and ellipsometry setups.
Grounded in a project-based learning methodology, HERO encourages students to move beyond predefined laboratory exercises and engage directly with authentic engineering challenges. By designing, calibrating and testing laboratory equipment, students develop practical engineering skills while gaining a deeper understanding of optoelectronic systems and their underlying scientific principles.
Optoelectronics is a strategic technological field that supports applications ranging from optical communications and imaging systems to sensing technologies and emerging quantum devices. Through its interdisciplinary approach, HERO combines optics, electronics, materials science and data analysis, fostering creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills while aligning teaching activities with ongoing research.
The selection of HERO reflects the growing importance of integrating research-driven methodologies into engineering education, creating learning environments where students become active contributors to innovation rather than passive users of technology.