The benefits of the EPS project for museums: a case study of the railway museum of Catalonia

Abstract

The European Project Semester (EPS) has been a valuable initiative for numerous insti- tutions seeking to integrate interdisciplinary learning with real-world applications. This paper outlines the benefits that the EPS program offered at the Escola Politècnica Superior d’Enginyeria de Vilanova i la Geltrú (UPC) has brought to a cultural institution, the Rail- way Museum of Catalonia (Museu del Ferrocarril de Catalunya), also located in Vilanova i la Geltrú. The museum has been collaborating with the school on EPS projects for over a decade. Throughout this time, efforts have been guided by a vision that embraces sustain- ability, accessibility, and innovation, aligning with the Museum’s mission. The projects have contributed both to adding new resources to the Museum and its visitors’ experience and, most importantly, have supported students’ academic development. A recent project in the spring semester of 2024, titled An Interactive Museum, Bringing Railway Heritage Closer, demonstrates the tangible outcomes of this partnership with the creation of a 3D model of a railway driving simulator cab.