In 1845, a unique teaching institution opened its doors in Havana, Cuba, to teach practical mechanics to young boys from the capital of the Spanish colony. This new teaching institution was called Escuela Mecánica although its name changed several times in the years that followed. The Mechanical School or Mechanical Institute was operated by the Society of Friends and quickly began to impact production modes in Cuba’s most important economic branches, such as the sugar and tobacco industries. This educational institution resulted from two dynamics. The first was the transformation of education in Europe, which led to the creation of more specialized institutions. The second dynamic was the reform initiatives in Cuba, which changed the education and science sector in particular.

中文翻译：

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探索古巴教育改革：哈瓦那机械学院，1830 年至 1860 年

1845 年，一所独特的教学机构在古巴哈瓦那开业，为来自西班牙殖民地首都的年轻男孩教授实用力学。这所新的教学机构被称为 Escuela Mecánica，尽管其名称在随后的几年中多次更改。机械学校或机械学院由朋友协会经营，并迅速开始影响古巴最重要的经济部门的生产模式，如糖业和烟草业。这个教育机构源于两个动力。首先是欧洲教育的转型，这导致了更多专业机构的建立。第二个动力是古巴的改革举措，特别是改变了教育和科学部门。