The Higher Institute of Engineering: A teaching and educational museology path

Abstract

The apparent political stability in 1851 created conditions for Portugal to make projects and to look at Europe as a model. The economic backlog was one of the aspects that deserved more attention and, it was understood, it would be through education that this difference would be overcome. As early as 1852, a system of industrial education was introduced, which allowed the importation of new scientific ideas that proliferated throughout Europe. This educational system had a strong practical component, proven by the creation of numerous cabinets and laboratories for experimental teaching. New equipment and scientific instruments were acquired annually, in order to equip these auxiliary educational establishments.The didactic collections, currently on display at the Museum of the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, were acquired from European manufacturers of international reference, mostly English, French and German, producers specialized in didactic material. The presence of these objects in the current collection allows us to conclude that there was a network of circulation of scientific in Europe from which Portugal ended up being part. Through this permanent collection the public can obtain a perception of the development of the sciences related to the industries, the spirit of industrial education and the identity of the School of Engineering as well as its impact in the North of Portugal, maintaining until today one of its main functions - the education.