A new school year at the Academic Secondary Comprehensive Schools of the Silesian University of Technology
For the ninth time, a new school year was inaugurated at the Academic Secondary Comprehensive Schools of the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice and Rybnik. For pupils, it is not only a return to school, but also another opportunity to develop their interests - through participation in projects, competitions, laboratory classes, and initiatives implemented in cooperation with the Silesian University of Technology.
The ceremony inaugurating the school year at the Gliwice secondary comprehensive school was attended by the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Marek Pawełczyk, while the ceremony in Rybnik was attended by the Vice-Rector for Infrastructure and Investments, Prof. Zbigniew Paszenda.
As the Rector emphasized, one of the greatest advantages of both schools is their close cooperation with the University. A particular example is the Academic Secondary Comprehensive School in Gliwice, which is located on the campus of the Silesian University of Technology, in the building of the Faculty of Architecture.
- Thanks to this, pupils can take advantage of the University's extensive infrastructure – both sports, cultural and laboratory. Direct contact with the academic community is one of the elements that distinguishes the school and allows young people to explore the world of science not only in theory, but also in practice, says Prof. Pawełczyk.
Pupils have the opportunity to attend some classes at faculties and can also engage in projects carried out jointly with students, doctoral students, and academic teachers.
One of the elements of this cooperation is the "Project Politechnika" program. Within this framework, pupil teams, supported by University representatives, work on their own projects, which can then be summarized in the form of publications, presentations or during a joint conference.
The cooperation of secondary school pupils with the Silesian University of Technology also includes projects carried out in a competition for secondary school pupils, organized as part of the "Excellence Initiative - Research University" program.
- These are projects carried out by pupils in teams of three, under the supervision of an academic teacher and a secondary school teacher. Pupils have the opportunity to use our laboratories and the experience of our staff, and above all – to jointly search for solutions to specific problems, says Prof. Beata Orlińska, director of the College of Studies at the Silesian University of Technology.
Interest in the competition grows year by year. In the previous edition, over 60 projects were implemented. According to Prof. Orlińska, such experiences allow young people to get to know the academic environment.
- Such experiences may in the future result in choosing the Silesian University of Technology as a place for further education. Contact with scientists allows young people not only to get to know the University, but also to find fields they would like to develop in the future, says Prof. Orlińska.
This opportunity to get to know the University "from the inside" is one of the distinguishing features of the Academic Secondary Comprehensive School. Pupils do not have to wait until they begin their studies to experience laboratories, scientists, or academic projects.
The Academic Secondary Comprehensive Schools of the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice and Rybnik are schools with a cozy atmosphere, which at the same time offer pupils a wide range of development opportunities.
As Dr Małgorzata Borysławska, director of the Gliwice ALO, emphasizes, over the course of nine years the school has developed an educational model that combines the implementation of the core curriculum with additional classes, projects, and initiatives.
- We have created a wide range of extracurricular activities, educational projects and, most importantly, we have gathered a group of teachers who have a talent for engaging pupils - says Dr Borysławska.
The director of the ALO in Rybnik, Krzysztof Lazaj, emphasizes that in the new school year the institution wants not only to maintain a high level of education, but also to better prepare young people for the next stage of their education and future career. Cooperation with the Silesian University of Technology plays an important role here.
– We want pupils to be able to develop their interests and acquire competences that go beyond the traditional education model – emphasizes Krzysztof Lazaj.
As he points out, the academic nature of the school also fosters the development of independence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. These are competences that are intended to help young people make informed choices about their further educational path and prepare well for studies at the university.
In the new school year, both the Gliwice and Rybnik Academic Secondary Comprehensive Schools accepted 52 new pupils. Young people are educated in two profiles – architecture and polytechnic ones. In both schools, pupils can develop their interests.
One example of the opportunities offered by the Academic Secondary Comprehensive School is the story of Jakub Cebula, a third-year pupil at the Academic Secondary Comprehensive School in Gliwice, who, encouraged by his physics teacher, took part in a competition organized by the Endeavour Scholarship Foundation from the USA. In Poland, the Polish Space Agency was responsible for its organization. Jakub decided to try his hand at it. As it turned out, it was a very good decision. He won the competition, got a scholarship, and went to the United States. As he emphasizes, he could count on the school's support in his preparations.
- It was a great support. The school helped me at every stage – it advised me on how to prepare for the competition and how to enter it, says Jakub.
However, what is important for pupils is not only the successes achieved, but also the daily opportunities that learning at ALO provides. They particularly appreciate educational trips, competitions and extra-curricular activities that allow them to develop their interests. An important element of school life is also the atmosphere and good relationships with teachers.
Krzysztof Lazaj, the director of the ALO in Rybnik, also believes in similar values. In the new school year, he wants to support pupils in developing their talents and achieving ambitious goals.
- I would like to wish the ALO community, above all, courage in reaching for ambitious goals, curiosity about the world and faith in their own abilities - concludes Krzysztof Lazaj.
