National Day of Materials Engineering
“Space Materials” – under this slogan, the National Day of Materials Engineering was held in 13 cities in Poland. As every year, the Faculty of Materials Engineering and Industrial Digitalization and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Silesian University of Technology joined the event.
The aim of the event was to popularize, especially among secondary school pupils, materials engineering, and manufacturing technology. During the event there were lectures, workshops, and demonstrations. The participants also took part in an attempt to set the Polish record in the category of “the greatest number of origami rockets.”
The National Day of Materials Engineering is not only a celebration of the scientific community, but also an opportunity to show how important materials are in the modern world – emphasizes the Dean of the Faculty of Materials Engineering and Industrial Digitalization of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof Krzysztof Nowacki.
– The Faculty already carries the term: “materials engineering” in its name. This is an area that has been our foundation for decades. Since we celebrate its holiday, we want to popularize knowledge about modern materials – about their cosmic properties, not necessarily related to the cosmos, but with their unusual parameters and possibilities of applications – said the Dean.
As he points out, contemporary materials are no longer accidental – they are designed for specific needs. – Today, virtually every material has specialized, dedicated properties – structural or functional. That is why it is so important to pass this knowledge on, especially to young people – he adds.
National Day of Materials Engineering is also the moment when the University can present its achievements. - This is an opportunity for us to show the potential of the Faculty and simply celebrate materials engineering, - he emphasizes.
The National Day of Materials Engineering is an initiative of a nationwide scope. This year, the fourth edition of this event took place.
One of the characteristic elements of the celebration is the annual attempt to set a Polish record. - Every year we do something different. Last year, participants solved crosswords, and in this we are trying to break a record in assembling origami rockets - says Dr Eng. Agnieszka Szczotok.
The main goal of the event is to popularize knowledge about materials engineering. We want to show what this field of science does and what it is applicable in everyday life – he emphasizes.
The event is primarily aimed at young people. – We invited secondary school pupils from all over the region – among others from Katowice, Sosnowiec, Bytom, Mikołów and Lędziny. In total, it is about 150 pupils and teachers – says Dr Szczotok.
As every year, the program of the event was rich and had both educational and practical character. – We started with a solemn lecture in the Faculty Hall, then there was an attempt to break the record, then the participants took part in workshops and laboratory presentations. The pupils had the opportunity to see what the work of the engineer “from the inside out” is like. - We showed our laboratory base and technological processes – casting, glass production and other issues related to the production of materials – adds the scientist.
Pupils who visited the Faculty of Materials Engineering and Industrial Digitization were also encouraged by current students to study materials engineering.
– I chose materials engineering because it is a field that gives very wide possibilities. We can work in virtually any industry – from automotive to new technologies – says Wojciech Kubowicz from the first year of his master’s studies.
What I like most is that we combine theory with practice. During classes we really see how materials are created and what they can be used for – adds Natalia Petkow, a first-year student.
Traditionally, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering has also joined the celebrations of the National Day of Materials Engineering. The ceremonial opening of the event was attended by the Vice-Dean for Infrastructure and Organization Dr Hab. Eng. Małgorzata Szymiczek, Prof. SUT.
- This is an excellent initiative to promote materials engineering. The employees put a lot of heart in order to prepare for it, and I hope that the pupils will like it – said the Vice-Dean Małgorzata Szymiczek.
- This year's theme fits perfectly in the programme of studies conducted at our Faculty, i.e. aviation and space engineering. To participate in this year’s edition, we invited, among others, pupils implementing PBL projects, as well as pupils from schools in Ruda Śląska, Tychy and Gliwice - says the coordinator of the event at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Dr Hab Agata Śliwa, Prof SUT.
The young people had the opportunity to listen to Dr Eng. Radosław Szklarek from the Łukasiewicz Research Network - Institute of Aviation entitled "Materials used for the construction of rocket engines used in space", as well as take part in the presentations of Student Science Clubs: Silesian Phoenix and the Use of Artificial Intelligence Methods. They were looking forward to trying to break the record. Finally, 73 participants took part in it at the Faculty.
- The materials have been with us since the dawn of time. On the national scale, they are a little underappreciated, so I am glad that there is such an initiative that brings students closer to this subject - explains the Chairman of the Board of Materials Engineering Discipline, Prof. Adam Grajcar.
The National Day of Materials Engineering has been organized since 2023 by 15 universities and 7 research institutes. It takes place simultaneously in 13 cities across Poland.
