This summer, the IEEE UBA Student Branch hosted Expo Clubes as part of the celebration for Engineer’s Day. Held in the main hall of the Faculty of Engineering (UBA), this first-of-its-kind event brought together student clubs and technical groups from across the university to showcase their work, share ideas, and foster interdisciplinary engagement.
The IEEE Photonics Society Student Chapter was invited to participate with a dedicated booth. Its primary goal was to present the research currently being developed by chapter members and to spark networking opportunities with undergraduate students and other clubs. The booth featured two posters highlighting ongoing photonics projects, with volunteers on hand to explain their work and answer questions.
The event exceeded the organizers’ expectations. Many students expressed interest in photonics research and engaged in meaningful discussions with our volunteers, with several showing curiosity about joining or learning more about the chapter’s activities. The overwhelmingly positive response confirmed the value of this outreach effort and reinforced the importance of participating in multidisciplinary events.
The event brought together around 30 volunteers, including 7 from IEEE and 3 specifically from the IEEE Photonics Society Student Chapter. An estimated 150 participants attended throughout the day. As this was the first event of its kind held in the Faculty of Engineering, its success was a significant achievement. Both students and faculty authorities expressed surprise and enthusiasm at the wide variety of scientific and technological projects showcased in the same building where they study and work. This momentum motivates us to repeat the event in the future with even greater participation and an expanded set of projects.
Expo Clubes was organized in close collaboration with the IEEE UBA Student Branch, reinforcing unity and cooperation across IEEE-affiliated groups at the university. By engaging directly with undergraduate students, we were able to raise awareness about the Photonics Society Student Chapter, share details of our research, and answer questions from those interested in optics and photonics.
Although there were no external keynote speakers, the open and informal format created space for meaningful peer-to-peer exchanges. The event strengthened our visibility, deepened connections with other IEEE groups, and sparked interest among students who had not previously encountered photonics.
One of the volunteers reflected on the significance of the event, stating:
“This was a valuable occasion to present our work and increase visibility for both our projects and the field of optics and photonics in general. Personally, I appreciated the chance to share my own research, as I believe that communicating what we do can lead to new possibilities. The event also helped raise awareness about the IEEE and the Photonics Society Student Chapter among a diverse student audience.”
A unique feature of Expo Clubes was the multidisciplinary backgrounds of attendees, from first-year engineering students to the dean of the faculty, an electronics engineer himself. This required volunteers to adapt the technical level of their explanations depending on the audience, making the experience more dynamic and rewarding.
Several strategies contributed to the success of this event:
- Strategic location: Hosting the expo in the faculty’s main hall maximized visibility and attendance, as students and staff frequently passed through the area.
- Interactive demonstrations: Small experimental demonstrations attracted attention and engaged even casual passersby.
- Volunteer engagement: The enthusiasm, openness, and strong technical knowledge of the volunteers were essential in capturing interest and building meaningful conversations.
The overall success of this inaugural Expo Clubes underscores the importance of collaboration and visibility within the academic community. By showcasing their work in an open, accessible setting, the IEEE Photonics Society Student Chapter not only expanded awareness of photonics but also strengthened ties with the wider student body and faculty. Moving forward, the chapter looks forward to building on this momentum and continuing to highlight the innovative research and opportunities available through our chapter.
