Impact of a One-Week Bioengineering Outreach Activity on the Academic Perceptions and Motivation of High School Students.

Many universities across Europe have developed outreach programs to bring high school students closer to science and help them make more informed decisions about their academic futures. At the University of Porto (Portugal), the Junior University is a summer school that offers research and development activities on specific topics, enabling students to experience university life and the research environment through representative hands-on programs. This report presents the impact of a one-week bioengineering program, conducted at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP) and repeated over 4 weeks, on the academic literacy and motivation of high school students. Throughout each week, students completed two questionnaires-one at the beginning and another at the end of the program. The results reveal clear improvements in their understanding of bioengineering concepts and applications. For some students, the experience reinforced their interest in the field, while for others, it helped clarify that bioengineering might not be their preferred area of study. Overall, the outcomes of this study highlight the value of university-led initiatives in enhancing high school students' academic literacy and supporting them in making more informed, thoughtful decisions regarding their future academic and professional paths.