Abstract

Abstract
This paper focuses on developing and assessing a non-obtrusive and transformative method, based on virtual reality, to evaluate science communication projects in science centres. The method was tested using deep-sea cutting-edge scientific content. We applied a mixed design, with 72 adult participants randomly assigned to experimental conditions (with/without exhibition exposure). Results showed that the exhibition promoted a better understanding of science. The non-obtrusive measures on awareness and engagement were positively related with questions posed via questionnaire and interview. The study adds theoretical and empirical support to the design and implementation of non-obtrusive and transformative evaluation experiences in science exhibitions in science centres and museums.

Abstract
Reducing office buildings' energy consumption can contribute significantly towards carbon reduction commitments since it represents similar to 40% of total energy consumption. Major components of this are lighting, electrical equipment, heating, and central cooling systems. Solid evidence demonstrates that individual occupants' behaviors impact these energy consumption components. In this work, we propose the methodology of using virtual choreographies to identify and prioritize behavior-change interventions for office users based on the potential impact of specific behaviors on energy consumption. We studied the energy-related office behaviors of individuals by combining three sources of data: direct observations, electricity meters, and computer logs. Data show that there are behaviors with significant consumption impact but with little potential for behavioral change, while other behaviors have substantial potential for lowering energy consumption via behavioral change.

Abstract
Scheduling jobs in a no-wait flow shop with the objective of minimising total earliness and tardiness is the problem addressed in this paper. Idle time may be needed on the first machine due to the no-wait restriction. A model is developed that shows additional idle can be inserted on the first machine to help reduce earliness. Several dispatching heuristics previously used in other environments were modified and tested. A two-phased procedure was also developed, estimating additional idle in the first phase, and applying dispatching heuristics in the second phase. Several versions of an insertion improvement procedure were also developed. The procedures are tested on instances of various sizes and due date tightness and range. The results show the two-phase heuristics are more effective than the simple rules, and the insertion search improvement procedure can provide considerable improvements.

Abstract
Despite the growing concern and several efforts to make museums accessible to visually impaired publics, their participation in these institutions is still limited, frustrating their desired inclusion. These visitors often experience multiple barriers in museological environments, and there is a lack of assistive technologies to promote access to exhibits, allow contextual information, and support mobility and orientation inside museum spaces. This paper presents the accessible, interactive, and multisensory exhibition Mysteries of the Art of Healing, which is organized in ten moments of an on-site visit to a history and science museum in Portugal, mediated by a set of technological solutions: an interactive 3D layout plan of the museum, seven high-fidelity prototypes of accessible interactives with thirteen 3D replicas, and one mobile application that acts as an assistive navigation guide during the entire visit. For its development, several principles proposed by a group of 72 blind and partially sighted persons to improve their autonomy during visits to museums were taken into account, namely: to provide sensory, intellectual, and physical access throughout the entire museum experience. Evaluation results with 25 visually impaired participants revealed the applicability of the developed solutions within this museum visit context, and global satisfaction results showed to be very positive and correlated to four variables: pleasantness of interacting with digitally fabricated objects, entertainment provided by the ten experiences, interaction with the developed accessible interactives, and pleasantness regarding the handling of manually fabricated replicas.

Abstract
It is increasingly required that Engineering Education courses include activities that promote the development of cognitive skills, such as metacognition. However, including such activities is challenging for lecturers, particularly in Distance Learning contexts. It is also complex, when working online, for teaching staff to carry out monitoring of the metacognitive learning processes of students, understand their difficulties, and provide formative feedback. In this work, we present the design and discussion of a pedagogical strategy: Metacognitive Challenges (MC), which allows lecturers to monitor the evolution of students' perceptions regarding their learning process We discuss how lecturers can use MCs for formative assessment and how to weave this intervention with individual students or groups. The Design Science Research methodology was adopted for the design, implementation, and demonstration of MCs, applied in a Software Engineering course within a distance learning Informatics Engineering undergraduate programme. We exemplify how MCs have the potential to support monitoring of students' cognitive and metacognitive processes and offer a set of guidelines on how the teaching staff can use them. In future work, we intend to evaluate the effectiveness of MCs in different teaching contexts, and develop technological solutions that facilitate the monitoring process (reduce the time and effort required for analysis of MC content). © 2022 University of Minho. All rights reserved.