The students who chose to see menstruation as a source of knowledge
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The students who chose to see menstruation as a source of knowledge

Some discomforts have been considered normal for far too long. Pain that is accepted as an unavoidable part of the cycle, warning signs that are downplayed, and conversations about menstruation that are still surrounded by silence. This reflection gave rise to SISNA, the project developed by the Institut Escola del Treball de Barcelona and awarded the second of the two third prizes in the 5th edition of the VET Knowledge Transfer Awards, promoted by FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet.

The proposal begins with an everyday situation: a young woman experiences pain during menstruation, tries different products and wonders whether what she is experiencing should really be considered normal. From there, the team puts forward a central idea: women’s health still does not always receive the attention it deserves, and menstruation, far from being something to ignore or minimise, can provide useful information about the body.

“Something as natural as menstruation, an experience we all share, should not be ignored or minimised,” the team states in the project presentation video.

From this perspective, SISNA proposes a reusable menstrual cup with a sensory ring integrated into its base. Its purpose is not to provide a diagnosis, but to offer an early warning of possible alterations. The team explains it clearly: “SISNA does not replace a medical diagnosis; it simply enables prevention before a problem develops.”

From product design to prevention

The project began with an analysis of different menstrual cup models already available on the market. The students examined aspects such as sealing, anatomical adaptability and ease of removal, with the aim of designing an ergonomic and functional solution.

The cup was designed using SolidWorks, selecting a shape intended to be comfortable and adaptable. However, the project’s main innovation lies in the sensory ring integrated into its base, an additional element that does not interfere with the positioning or use of the cup but makes it possible to monitor menstrual pH.

The idea is based on a statement that captures the essence of the project: “Menstrual blood is not waste; it is information.” Through this approach, SISNA turns a menstrual hygiene product into a preventive monitoring tool.

The team explains that vaginal pH is usually between 3.8 and 4.5, an acidic environment that acts as a barrier against infections. During menstruation, this level may rise, but if it does not return to its usual values after the period, the change could act as a warning sign of a possible infection or irregularity.

To detect these variations, the project uses anthocyanins, a pigment found in red cabbage that changes colour depending on acidity levels. The outer layer of the ring allows menstrual plasma to pass through, while the inner hydrogel filters out solid components. When the plasma comes into contact with the indicator, a colour change occurs.

This colour variation works as a visual warning: intense red for a highly acidic environment, purple or violet for a more neutral level, and blue or green for greater alkalinity. In this way, the cup can provide a simple indication of possible changes in the body’s balance.

A reusable, accessible and sustainable solution

SISNA also incorporates environmental and social dimensions. The cup is designed to be made from medical-grade silicone, selected for its flexibility, durability and compatibility with the body. It can also be reused for years and withstand sterilisation processes, making it a long-lasting alternative to other menstrual products.

The sensory ring is designed to be renewed with each cycle. According to the team, washing the cup and ring with water and neutral soap restores the indicator to its original colour, allowing one ring to be used throughout a menstrual period and replaced with a new one the following month.

This long service life also connects the project with another objective: improving access to menstrual health solutions for women with fewer resources. As the team explains, “its long lifespan makes it accessible to women with limited financial resources.”

However, SISNA goes beyond proposing a product. It also opens up a conversation about how women’s health is researched and the need to pay greater attention to signs that have historically been understudied. The project highlights menstruation as a potential source of information and explores how technology can help interpret it in a simple, visual and non-invasive way.

“Because VET does not only create; it researches and transforms. And women are here to lead this change,” the team states at the end of its presentation.

An inclusive electrical panel to make home safety accessible to everyone
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An inclusive electrical panel to make home safety accessible to everyone

An electrical panel may seem like a simple element in a home. It is usually located near the entrance or in a hallway, ready to respond when a circuit breaker trips, a fault occurs or the power needs to be switched off. However, for many people, identifying what has happened, reaching the panel or knowing which part of the home has lost power is not so straightforward.

This everyday situation gave rise to the project developed by IES Gerardo Molina, in Torre-Pacheco, awarded the first of the two third prizes in the 5th edition of the VET Knowledge Transfer Awards, promoted by FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet. Developed within the Higher VET programme in Electrotechnical and Automated Systems, the initiative aims to create an inclusive electrical panel, designed especially for women with visual impairments or reduced mobility.

The project addresses a very specific need. In the presentation video, the team illustrates it through an easy-to-imagine situation: “It is difficult for me because the panel is designed to be seen. If a circuit breaker trips, I do not know which one it is or which part of the house has lost power.” This is compounded by a physical barrier: “If something happens, I cannot reach the panel properly because it is too high.”

Based on this assessment, the students reached a clear conclusion: domestic electrical panels are not always designed to be accessible. This lack of accessibility can create insecurity in situations where acting quickly and understanding what is happening are essential.

When accessibility also means safety

The solution developed by IES Gerardo Molina incorporates several measures to make the electrical panel safer and easier to use independently. One of the main features is the integration of Braille labelling, allowing each circuit to be identified by touch. This is complemented by large, high-contrast initials designed to improve readability and visual accessibility.

The team also considered the installation height of the panel, particularly in homes where a wheelchair user may live. To do so, they consulted their teacher, María Luisa Martín, with the aim of adapting the proposal to real accessibility and usability criteria.

However, the project goes beyond the physical identification of circuits. The students incorporated a set of smart solutions that make it possible to receive alerts and manage the home more efficiently. These include a day/night sensor that detects whether a light has been left on during the day and sends a notification through Telegram, allowing it to be switched off.

A smart smoke detector has also been integrated into the same alert system. In this way, the electrical panel not only makes the installation easier to use on a daily basis, but also adds an extra layer of safety in the event of possible incidents at home.

Technology applied to independence

To manage these functions, the project uses a Raspberry Pi connected to the home Wi-Fi network, running Linux and Node-RED software. This system centralises alerts and sends notifications to a mobile phone whenever an incident occurs.

One of the most relevant features is the alert triggered when a circuit breaker switches off. The system does not simply warn the user that a fault has occurred, but identifies exactly which circuit has been affected. In the project video, the team shows an example of the type of notification the user would receive: “Circuit fault alert: sockets.”

In addition, to ensure that everything is switched off when leaving the house, the students implemented an NFC system. By holding an unlocked mobile phone near the device, all lighting and certain sockets are switched off, combining convenience, energy savings and safety.

The project is aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 5, through its contribution to gender equality with particular attention to women with disabilities; SDG 7, through its contribution to energy savings; and other goals related to reduced inequalities, sustainable communities, responsible consumption and climate action.

The value of the proposal lies precisely in this combination of elements: accessibility, energy, safety, independence and applied technology. It is not simply about adapting an electrical panel, but about rethinking an everyday household element from the perspective of people who face barriers in using it.

The team sums up the spirit of the project in one sentence: “We are confident that our project can help many women gain independence and safety, because designing for everyone is not an extra: it means safety, equality and peace of mind.”

A VET response to seeking help against harassment and digital violence
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A VET response to seeking help against harassment and digital violence

Not every situation of harassment begins with an obvious act of aggression. Sometimes it starts with comments, controlling behaviour, exclusion or attitudes that become normalised far too quickly. Then, they grow. They escalate. And they can develop into digital violence, sextortion or abuse that many people do not know how to report.

This reality gave rise to Pantalla Morada, a project developed by CIPFP Misericordia in Valencia and awarded second prize in the 5th edition of the VET Knowledge Transfer Awards, promoted by FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet. It is a simple, replicable technological solution designed to provide immediate support, information and guidance in situations of harassment or violence.

The project, led by Lucía García, a tutor at the school and team leader, begins with a direct question: “Have you ever experienced any form of harassment?” From there, the team raises a reflection that connects with a reality familiar to many young people: “Perhaps you haven’t, but someone close to you almost certainly has.”

Pantalla Morada was created precisely to respond to the silence that so often surrounds victims. As the team states in its presentation, “violence has neither age nor gender”, although it particularly affects women, who in many cases remain silent “out of fear or because they cannot find an appropriate system for reporting it”.

A simple device for an urgent need

The proposal consists of an interactive screen installed in private and discreet spaces, designed so that anyone can access information and support without exposing themselves or attracting attention. In the solution proposed by the school, the screens would be installed in toilets, personal spaces where victims can interact with the device with greater privacy.

“With this project, we prioritise the victim’s privacy,” the team explains in the presentation video, adding that the screens would be located in “personal spaces that do not attract attention”.

One of Pantalla Morada’s main strengths is its feasibility. The project does not rely on major infrastructure or inaccessible materials, but rather on resources commonly available in educational environments. The team summarises it as follows: “Using only materials we can find in classrooms, we have easily managed to develop and propose a project that is entirely feasible to manufacture in educational institutions.”

The prototype consists of a Raspberry Pi board, an external touchscreen and its power supply. It also considers the possibility of integrating all the components into a single chassis manufactured using 3D printing. On the software side, it includes a multifunction interface designed in accordance with current regulations and capable of being updated in response to possible legislative changes.

“The hardware and software in our project are extremely simple and allow for rapid adaptation to any environment,” the team explains, also highlighting the possibility of continuously updating the tool as legislation changes.

Technology, privacy and inclusion

Pantalla Morada not only aims to provide an immediate response, but also to create a useful long-term resource. The team has developed a prototype to demonstrate that the solution can be implemented by following simple instructions and adapted to different environments, ranging from educational institutions to companies, shopping centres and other places where situations of abuse may occur.

Accessibility is also part of the design. The interface is intended to be easy for anyone to use and features large text to make it more accessible to people with visual impairments. In this way, the project connects violence prevention with inclusion and equal access to information.

The initiative also gives female students at the school a leading role. The team proposes that the assembly and installation of the screens be carried out by them, as well as the training sessions explaining how the system works across the school’s different vocational fields. This decision reinforces the project’s value within an awards programme that seeks to promote greater female participation in technical and technological fields.

In the team’s own words, Pantalla Morada aims to take “a small but important step in this fight”. The phrase captures the essence of the project: it is not presented as a single solution to a complex problem, but as a practical, feasible and accessible tool that can make it easier for people to ask for help.

The project focuses particularly on SDG 5, related to gender equality, while also contributing to other goals such as reduced inequalities, sustainable communities, responsible consumption, and peace, justice and strong institutions.

GIRO: mechanics developed through VET to support recovery after a mastectomy
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GIRO: mechanics developed through VET to support recovery after a mastectomy

Some projects begin with a technical question. Others begin with a human need. In the case of GIRO, the project developed by Centro Sagrado Corazón – Jesuitas Logroño and awarded first prize in the 5th edition of the VET Knowledge Transfer Awards, both come together from the very beginning: can Vocational Education and Training help improve the recovery of women who have undergone a mastectomy?

The team’s answer came from the Higher VET programme in Industrial Mechatronics, where students Verónica Martínez, Lilu González, Laura Castro and Itsaso Marauri, supported by their tutor Javier González, developed a technical solution with a very specific purpose: to design an adaptable arm exoskeleton, manufactured using 3D printing, to support the progressive rehabilitation of women who have overcome breast cancer.

The project addresses a complex reality. Following a mastectomy, many women may experience a loss of mobility, strength and independence in the arm. The team itself summarises the issue directly in the project presentation video: “After a mastectomy, many women lose mobility, strength and independence.” From this concern, the group posed the question that would shape the entire project: “What if we could help them through Vocational Education and Training?”

A technical solution designed with empathy

Before beginning the design process, the team wanted to gain a first-hand understanding of the problem. To do so, they met with rehabilitation specialists from the Spanish Association Against Cancer, a key step in understanding the physical consequences of this type of surgery and better shaping their proposal.

During their research, the students identified that, following such a delicate procedure, arm mobility can be affected by factors such as surgical sutures or pain. They also found that without appropriate rehabilitation, patients may develop lasting complications, including chronic pain, limitations in shoulder abduction and flexion, or conditions such as winged scapula.

Based on this information, the team designed an arm exoskeleton adaptable to each user, intended to support different stages of the recovery process. The system would operate using servomotors limited to the appropriate range of movement depending on each patient’s stage of rehabilitation, with the main purpose of supporting gradual recovery and helping restore mobility.

The proposal also includes a possible extension for cases of lymphoedema through the incorporation of a lymphatic drainage system based on the Boder method, designed to stimulate the lymphatic system, reduce oedema, eliminate toxins and help decrease inflammation.

GIRO therefore combines knowledge of mechatronics, design, 3D printing and motion control, but its value goes beyond its technical dimension. The project demonstrates how VET can apply its skills to a real need, connecting technology, health and patient support.

Technology with a purpose

The first prize in the VET Knowledge Transfer Awards recognises precisely this ability to transform learning into a solution with real impact. In this 5th edition, promoted by FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet, the awards focused on technological projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, with particular emphasis on SDG 5, which focuses on gender equality.

GIRO is aligned with SDGs 3, 5, 8, 9 and 10, addressing issues related to health and well-being, equality, innovation, decent work and reduced inequalities. Beyond the list of goals, however, the project stands out for a simple yet powerful idea: using technology so that more women feel supported during a difficult recovery process.

“Because we want more women to feel strong and supported,” the team explains in its presentation. This sentence captures the human focus of a proposal that was created not only to solve a technical challenge, but also to help improve patients’ quality of life.

The experience has also prompted an important reflection among the students themselves: “Thanks to GIRO, we have discovered that technology with a purpose has much greater power.” This idea captures much of the project’s value: learning mechanics, programming or design not as an end in itself, but as a way of creating useful solutions for society.

With GIRO, Centro Sagrado Corazón – Jesuitas Logroño demonstrates how Vocational Education and Training can research, design and prototype solutions capable of moving beyond the classroom and addressing real-world problems. A project that turns mechanics into a tool for healing and reminds us, as the team itself states, that “VET can also transform lives.”

FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet celebrate innovative talent at the 5th VET Knowledge Transfer Awards ceremony
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FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet celebrate innovative talent at the 5th VET Knowledge Transfer Awards ceremony

The Association of Vocational Education and Training Centres FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet held the awards ceremony for the 5th edition of the VET Knowledge Transfer Awards on Tuesday, 9 June, at V-Valley Academy. The event once again highlighted the ability of Vocational Education and Training students to identify challenges in their surroundings and transform them into technical solutions with a real impact.

The event brought together representatives from FPEmpresa, Grupo Esprinet and the award-winning centres, from La Rioja, Valencia, Murcia and Catalonia. They all shared the same starting point: using the knowledge acquired in the classroom to respond to specific social challenges, ranging from health and accessibility to digital violence and sustainability.

A total of 64 projects from 44 educational centres across Spain took part in this fifth edition, a figure that consolidates the growth of a call aimed at connecting VET with the productive sector and with today’s social challenges. In addition, the videos submitted by the teams exceeded 84,000 views and 22,000 likes, also reflecting the interest generated among the educational community and the general public.

The VET Knowledge Transfer Awards, promoted by FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet, seek to foster technical and transversal skills among students, as well as to promote gender equality in professional fields where female presence remains a minority. Since their creation, the awards have encouraged projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, with special attention to SDG 5, focused on gender equality.

Solutions from the classroom to real life

The first prize, worth 5,000 euros, went to Centro Sagrado Corazón – Jesuitas Logroño, in La Rioja, for a project addressing the recovery of women who have overcome breast cancer after a mastectomy. The students designed a low-cost functional exoskeleton, manufactured using 3D printing, with the aim of facilitating arm rehabilitation and helping to improve patients’ quality of life.

The second prize, worth 3,300 euros, recognised CIPFP Misericordia, in Valencia, for a proposal focused on the rise of cyberbullying, sextortion and other forms of digital violence. Their project proposes an interactive device located in private spaces to offer immediate and confidential support, information and guidance to those who may need it.

The two third prizes, worth 1,850 euros each, went to IES Gerardo Molina, in Torre-Pacheco, and Institut Escola del Treball, in Barcelona. The centre from Murcia developed a solution to improve the accessibility of domestic electrical panels for women with visual impairments or reduced mobility, through tactile Braille labelling and mobile phone alerts. For its part, the Catalan centre designed a reusable menstrual cup with a sensory ring capable of indicating changes in pH through colour variations, as a more sustainable alternative to traditional menstrual hygiene products.

Beyond the financial recognition, the awards highlight the joint work of students, teachers and educational centres. The prizes are distributed among the centre, the teaching team and the participating students, thus reinforcing the importance of collaboration and educational support in the development of innovative projects.

The awards ceremony also served to showcase how Vocational Education and Training can become a space from which to think, create and test useful solutions for society. Each of the award-winning projects combines a technical approach with a human concern: improving medical recovery, offering support in situations of digital violence, promoting autonomy at home or seeking more sustainable alternatives for female intimate health.

With this fifth edition, the VET Knowledge Transfer Awards continue to consolidate themselves as an initiative that brings companies closer to the classroom and demonstrates the potential of VET to generate applied innovation, young talent and concrete responses to today’s challenges.