Educational program "Teachers to Teachers"
Integration of the environment of academic teachers and school teachers, exchange of mutual knowledge, experiences, and ideas - the Academy "Teachers to Teachers" was held at the Silesian University of Technology. The event was organized as part of the European City of Science Katowice 2024.
The conference was attended by school teachers from the Silesian Voivodeship, scientists and authorities of the Silesian University of Technology. The meeting was devoted to climate and environment issues. It was also an opportunity to establish a wider cooperation between the University and secondary school teachers.
We want to help teachers deepen their knowledge and become more involved in the life of secondary schools. They are the ones who are preparing young people, which I hope will contribute to our University. I will add that the Silesian University of Technology already runs two academic secondary schools, which also gives us a better understanding of the needs of these schools. In the future, we would like to take formal patronage and care of selected classes in secondary schools. We would conduct classes there and invite young people to the University to use our infrastructure and integrate with students – said the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Marek Pawełczyk.
- The aim of this program is also to better prepare students to continue their education at higher levels - added Professor Beata Orlińska director of the College of Studies of the Silesian University of Technology
Importantly, the cooperation of scientists from the Silesian University of Technology with secondary school teachers can be used for both parties.
- We can also draw on the experience of secondary school teachers because they know the needs of students best and know how to interest them in their education at the University. It must be remembered that this generation is changing very dynamically – said the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education, prof Anna Chrobok.
The Gliwice municipality is very much involved in cooperation aimed at improving the competences of teachers and modifying teaching methods to better meet the expectations of young people. Barbara Gzik, Head of the Education Department of the Gliwice City Hall, who was present at the conference, emphasized the role of cooperation between the city and the university also in the area of improving the competences and qualifications of the staff. She also drew attention to the city's efforts to improve the quality of education.
The Academy “Teachers to Teachers” has started the presentation of the University’s educational offer.
- The meeting was an opportunity to present education and research within the priority research areas that are conducted at the Silesian University of Technology. We also showed how the University educates in the field of environmental protection – emphasized the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education, prof Anna Chrobok
Introductory lecture: "Competences of the future - how to educate the generation iGen" was delivered by Dr Eng. Anna Waligóra, then there was a discussion panel entitled "Project-oriented education – implementation of PBL projects at the Silesian University of Technology", which was led by the University's spokesperson Iwona Flanczewska-Rogalska.
The conference was attended by dozens of representatives of secondary schools.
- We are pleased that the Silesian University of Technology has come up with such an initiative. Together, we, both secondary school teachers and employees of the University, must make sure that as many young people as possible want to study. Over a dozen years ago, over 80 percent of secondary school graduates took up studies, but now it is about 60 percent. Young people choose other options, for example specialized courses, but you have to remember that studying is an added value, and you can’t learn everything in the courses. Studies are also about shaping the personality of a young person, meeting with both peers and university employees and this is very important - said Dr Eng. Florian Brom, Director of the V LO in Gliwice.
During the conference, Silesian University of Technology signed an agreement with the Regional Teacher Training Centre "PTO" in the field of improving professional qualifications of teachers of vocational subjects.
- The average age of teachers, especially professional subjects, is quite high. They are fantastic teachers, but they finished their studies many years ago. That is why we want them to be able to improve their qualifications in the field of the profession they teach during various types of training or postgraduate studies – said Dr Jerzy Grad, Director of the Regional Teacher Training Centre "WOM" in Katowice.
The “Teachers to Teachers” Academy was completed by workshops, during which the teaching mode based on the Project based Learning (PBL) method was presented at the university. The researchers showed the laboratories, methods and research techniques used to transfer knowledge and acquire competences and qualifications.
The Academy is not the first project in which the Silesian University of Technology cooperates with schools. For the second time at the Silesian University of Technology, the final of THE SILESIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY PROJECT will take place, under which students, together with our scientists, carried out research projects.
The interest in this program was huge. Last year our University established cooperation with 18 secondary schools from Gliwice, Rybnik, Katowice, Zabrze, Pyskowice, Siemianowice Śląskie, Dąbrowa Górnicza, Mikołów, Mysłowice, Radzionkow and Wodzisław Śląski.
