The National Polytechnic School (Spanish: Escuela Politécnica Nacional), also known as EPN, is a public university in Quito, Ecuador. Located in the suburb of El Giron, the main campus encompasses ten teaching and research faculties, in addition to four technical and specialized institutes. EPN was founded in 1869 with the aim of becoming the first technical and technological center in the country. Since its beginnings, EPN adopted the polytechnic university model, which stresses laboratory instruction in applied science and engineering. Thus, the faculty members of EPN have traditionally been involved in both research and teaching activities simultaneously, with lectures, seminars, and laboratory demonstrations being key elements of systematic investigation and student instruction.