History of European Universities University of Lisbon, 2011

THE ADVENT OF INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION IN NORTH PORTUGAL AND THE POPULARIZATION OF SCIENCE

Patrcia Costaa, Helder I. Chaminb, Pedro M. Callapezc

School of Engineering, ISEP, Polytechnic of Porto, Rua Dr. A. Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal b School of Engineering, ISEP, Polytechnic of Porto, LABCARGA|ISEP, DEG; and Centre GeoBioTec |UA, Portugal c Geophysics Centre |UC, University of Coimbra, Av. Dr. Dias da Silva, 3000-134 Coimbra, Portugal pcmc@isep.ipp.pt

Keywords: industrial education, scientific instruments, scientific knowledge, Museums

Abstract
The middle of the XIX century was a time of significant political achievements in the Kingdom of Portugal, when a certain degree of stability arose to the constitutional institutions and governments. These encouraging conditions were profited to try reducing the strong socio-economic delay of the country, when compared with the leadership European nations of Industrial Revolution. From 1852 onwards, the establishment of a system of industrial education allowed the importation of new scientific ideas that proliferated all over Europe. That educational system had a strong practical emphasis, which was highlighted by the creation of numerous cabinets and laboratories for experimental activities. One of the best examples of these innovations was the Industrial Institute of Porto. From there, new equipments and scientific instruments were purchased each year, in order to supply these pedagogic facilities. Large didactic

collections were also acquired from European manufactures and comptoirs of international reference, mostly of them with British, French or German flags. Most of these objects are now on display at the Museum of ISEP. Through this permanent collection the main public can get a perception of the development of sciences related to industries, which came to an enormous increase in the second half of the XIXs. The spirit of industrial education and identity of the School of Engineering is very present in the Museum. In short, our collections represent main steps in the evolution of science, as well as the identity of a school and its impact in the North of Portugal. The Museum of ISEP has the duty to perpetuate our history, acting as an active element for the society in which is inserted.
Patrcia Costa is a graduated (MSc) in history of science at the University of Porto in 2007. Technical coordinator of the School of Engineering|ISEP Museum of Polytechnic of Porto. She is now a PhD student of history and methodology of geological sciences at University of Coimbra with the theme The role of museums in the industrial education of XIX century Helder I. Chamin is a senior geologist (PhD) and professor of applied geology at the School of Engineering|ISEP of Polytechnic of Porto. Coordinator of museological space of mineralogy and geology of Geotechnical Engineering Department. Author of over 140 publications in journal papers, conference proceedings and specialty volumes during the last 21 years. Pedro M. Callapez is teacher of Geology at the University of Coimbra where he researches themes on Palaeontology, Stratigraphy and History of Earth Sciences in Portugal, since Enlightenment times. For several years he was coordinator of the Mineralogical and Geological Museum, always working with collections of scientific and didactic relevance.