Ciências projects distinguished in the ULisboa Pedagogical Innovation Competition

Two projects by professors of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (Ciências ULisboa) were distinguished in the 2025 edition of the Competition for Pedagogical Innovation Projects of the University of Lisbon (ULisboa). A bet on virtual reality applied to the experimental education of Physics. The other uses card games to reinforce the learning of Biochemistry.

The announcement of funded projects coincides with the opening of applications for the 2026 edition of the competition, which runs until July 19.

One of the projects is Experimental Physics eXcelent with Virtual Reality (FEX-VR), coordinated by Daniel Galaviz Redondo. Here, the goal is to integrate virtual reality environments in the preparation of physics laboratory classes. Developed by a team of professors from Ciências and IADE/European University, FEX-VR will be implemented in the curricular units of Experimental Physics I and Experimental Physics III of the degrees in Physics and Physical Engineering.

The purpose is to recreate the lab in a virtual environment. Prior to face-to-face lectures, students will be able to familiarize themselves with equipment, experimental procedures, and data acquisition and analysis methods. The project also integrates elements of gamification and immediate feedback mechanisms. The team aims to assess the impact of VR on learning, retention of physical concepts and development of experimental skills.

Daniel Galaviz Redondo believes that "this initiative will contribute to improve the quality of experimental learning, strengthen students' motivation and promote a more active participation in the process of knowledge building."

For the professor, the distinction will allow to consolidate and expand the project: "This recognition puts Ciências at the forefront of pedagogical innovation in ULisboa," he says. Galaviz adds that it could also strengthen the collaboration between Ciências ULisboa and the IADE/European University and contribute to "the modernization of education practices and for the strengthening of the quality of experimental education at ULisboa in the global and at Ciências in particular."

The second distinguished project is coordinated by Federico Herrera Y Garcia. The proposal involves the development of pedagogical card games to support the teaching of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology. Inspired by commercially successful games, this project aims to transform leisure moments into learning opportunities and encourage students to connect with scientific concepts (also) outside the classroom.

"We intend to occupy students' free time and leisure moments with didactic games that relate to the subjects they formally study in the classroom. By making biochemistry part of your entertainment, we hope to engage students in fundamental science topics both inside and outside the classroom," explains the professor .

The games will address topics such as the relationships between biomolecules, the link between hormones and receptors, and the regulation of gene expression. They may be used in several Ciências ULisboa curricular units, the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Instituto Superior Técnico.

The funding, now allocated, will allow an important step in the development of the project. " This award allowed us to hire two illustrators to develop their own images, free of copyright", explains Federico Herrera.

In a subsequent phase, the team intends to diversify the games and test them in classroom settings. It is also intended to evaluate its impact on the performance, attention and motivation of students in the areas of Molecular and Cellular Biology.