3rd edition of the “POLITECHNIKA” Project
87 scientific projects, 237 participants from 43 secondary schools from over 20 cities – this is how the third edition of the “Politechnika” project, whose popularity among school youth and teachers is constantly growing, can be summarized in numbers. During the conference, all research works in the form of posters were presented, and a team of experts awarded outstanding projects.
The aim of the “Politechnika” project is to interest young people from secondary schools in exact sciences, to stimulate their passions and interests. Pupils under the supervision of a teacher from the school and a tutor from the Silesian University of Technology implement a selected project responding to current challenges and problems.
– We are very pleased that young people not only learn at school, but can also take advantage of the rich offer of the Silesian University of Technology and the care of academic teachers – said Dr Eng. Florian Brom, director of the 5th Secondary Comprehensive School in Gliwice, which has been represented by as many as 8 teams. Thanks to the availability of laboratories and specialized equipment, young people can realize their ideas impossible to implement at school.
– Our scientists obtain funds for research from national and European grants, thanks to which they supply laboratories with highly specialized equipment – emphasized Prof. Eng. Anna Chrobok , Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education at the Silesian University of Technology – We invite young people to our laboratories, thanks to which we provide them with the opportunity to use modern equipment under the supervision of an academic teacher already in a secondary school. I think that this joint research develops their horizons, their perspective on the world and ties them with us, maybe in the future they will become our students – added the Vice-Rector.
During the implementation of the projects, pupils also get acquainted with the Project Based Learning (PBL) method developed for several years at the Silesian University of Technology, which consists in solving specific problems or problems in interdisciplinary teams.
– The “Politechnika” project is also intended to introduce this project-oriented method of modern education, such projects are also implemented during studies, students in this way can pass subjects and gain valuable skills – said Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Beata Orlińska, Head of the College of Studies at the Silesian University of Technology. – We hope that thanks to the joint work with our scientists in the walls of the Silesian University of Technology, pupils will be encouraged to work in science and undertake higher education studies.
Members of the winning teams, if they become students of the Silesian University of Technology, will receive a scholarship of PLN 700 per month for 10 months in the first year of studies.
– First of all, we want to familiarize young people with science, show how the Silesian University of Technology works, what interesting scientific research we conduct – enumerated Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk, the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology. – The greatest satisfaction for them is the opportunity to implement an attractive project under the supervision of excellent tutors, the effects of which can be used in the future both for education and promotion of the school. In addition, these young people also have the opportunity to publish their first scientific work, because each edition of the “Politechnika” project ends with the publication of a monograph - emphasized Prof. Pawełczyk.
The summary of the third edition of the “Politechnika” project is also an opportunity to discuss and exchange experiences during the poster session. Pupils also learn how to present the results of their research.
– I am impressed by the pupils’ work, their ideas are really innovative, and this is what education is all about, to cross the border and here these boundaries are crossed, here something new, something creative is shown – said Dr Hab Tomasz Huk, Prof. of University od Silesia, Silesian Vice-curator of Education. – Today we need to change the model of education in universities a little and the Silesian University of Technology is an example of this – it changes and implements it. Students must know that they will acquire specific knowledge and skills at the university that will be helpful in practice and the Silesian University of Technology provides them with this. Cooperation with many potential employers is also an advantage, thanks to which young people can see their further career path – added the Vice-curator.
The next, fourth edition of the competition for projects implemented with pupils of secondary schools, as part of the Excellence Initiative – Research University program has already been decided - in the coming months 90 research projects will be created.
Projects awarded projects in the third edition of the competition:
- Analysis of the possibilities of automatic generation of routes available for people with limited possibilities in the field of independent movement - "thoughtful maps" - Academic Secondary Comprehensive School in Rybnik, supervisor from the Silesian University of Technology: Dr Eng. Maciej Sajkowski
- Innovative method of water sampling with a drone - School Complex No. 10 named after Prof. Janusz Groszkowski in Zabrze, supervisor from the Silesian University of Technology: Dr Hab. Eng. Roman Czyba, Prof. of Silesian University of Technology
- Development of a project and construction of a model of superconductors levitation - 5th Secondary Comprehensive School named after Andrzej Strug in Gliwice, supervisor from the Silesian University of Technology: Dr Eng. Błażej Tomiczek
- Design and construction of a device supporting detection and visualization of signals based on in vitro cell tests - 4th Secondary Comprehensive School named after Lviv Eagles in Gliwice, tutor from Silesian University of Technology: Dr hab. Eng. Damian Borys, Prof. of Silesian University of Technology
- Speed measurement system - Secondary Comprehensive School named after Silesian Insurgents in Radzionków, tutor from Silesian University of Technology: Dr Hab. Eng. Roman Przyłucki, Prof. of Silesian University of Technology
- The use of virtual reality in the rehabilitation of cognitive functions of older people - Academic Secondary Comprehensive School in Gliwice, supervisor from the Silesian University of Technology: Dr Ewa Lach
Projects awarded by the European University EURECA PRO:
- Educational robot with an interactive module of garbage segregation - School Complex No. 10 named after Prof. Janusz Groszkowski in Zabrze, supervisor from the Silesian University of Technology: Dr Hab. Eng. Roman Czyba, Prof. of Silesian University of Technology
- Company Management Championships Part I - 1st Secondary Comprehensive School named after T. Kościuszko in Mysłowice, supervisor from the Silesian University of Technology: Dr Eng. Sandra Grabowska
- "Green" synthesis of pure (S)-ibuprofen - 3rd Secondary Comprehensive School named after Stefan Batory in Zabrze, supervisor from the Silesian University of Technology: Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Anna Chrobok
