Summary of the 5th edition of the “Politechnika Project”
69 projects from 40 secondary schools, nearly 200 people from over 20 cities – the 5th edition of the “Politechnika Project” was summarized in the Education and Congress Centre. During the poster session, the projects and their results were presented, and the team of experts selected the best of them.
“The Politechnika Project” is a unique program, increasingly popular, which involves pupils of secondary schools in scientific research. Young people work in laboratories of the Silesian University of Technology, using not only the rich infrastructure, but also the substantive support of supervisors from the University. Pupils implement projects that respond to current challenges and problems and thus become familiar with the method of conducting classes using the Project Based Learning method, of which the Silesian University of Technology is a leader in Poland.
– Young, very ambitious, distinguished pupils indicated by teachers from schools cooperate perfectly with our scientists, implement great projects. This shows that this cooperation with our University brings many values to them. We want the Silesian University of Technology to open its doors to new ideas, so that these people can develop and pursue their passions in a way that they cannot do it anywhere else – emphasized Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk, the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology.
- It is amazing to watch their passion, energy, commitment, and joy that they can commune with scientists, that they discover new interests. Project-oriented education is not only the implementation of a project on a given topic, but also the development of soft skills, passions, skills, which will certainly pay off in the adult professional life of a young person - said Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Anna Chrobok , Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education.
The subject matter of the implemented projects covered all Priority Research Areas of the Silesian University of Technology. Among other things, the youth studied the strength of materials, constructed robots, designed a car propulsion system or an air monitoring station, analysed methods of sustainable production of fertilizers for plants. Students of the 3rd Secondary Comprehensive School in Gliwice presented a project that concerned microplastic polluting water, released during washing.
- I had never had the opportunity to participate in such a project before, it was a very interesting experience for us, we had access to various laboratory devices, about some we did not even know that they existed. It was also an opportunity to get acquainted with the program of the Silesian University of Technology and student life, and because soon we are finishing secondary school, it is very important for us – said Marta Cygrimus, a pupils of the 3rd Secondary Comprehensive School in Gliwice.
- I am also making my debut as a participant of such a project and it certainly convinced me to continue my education in engineering, maybe not exactly in the field of materials engineering, but more in the field of robotics. Participation in the program showed me that studying at the Silesian University of Technology is not as terrible as everyone says, on the contrary, it opens our eyes to many topics that we do not know about – added Mateusz Szymański, a pupils of the 3rd Secondary Comprehensive School in Gliwice.
The aim of the “Politechnika Project” is also to attract talented pupils to study at our University.
– I am pleased with the activity of the participants about how they become infected with the passion for science and I hope that thanks to this they will be encouraged to those subjects, which sometimes scare them away – said Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Beata Orlińska, director of the College of Studies at the Silesian University of Technology. – From year to year the level of implemented projects is getting higher, the competition applications that come to us are also getting better, and there is something to fight for, because the winners of the competition for the best project will receive a scholarship in the amount of PLN 700 for 10 months, if of course they become students of the Silesian University of Technology in the future – added Prof. Orlińska.
In the 5th edition of the “Politechnika Project”, the Board of Experts awarded the following projects:
- “From nature to technology - biodegradable films and membranes made of natural polymers,” Michał Kijas, Bartosz Szyman, Milena Sondel from II LO in Rybnik.
- “Presentation platform for classes,” Patryk Filipek, Kacper Kozieł, Krzysztof Solipiwko from ZSEI in Sosnowiec.
- “Robot SCARA”, Tymon Jasiulek, Jakub Szefczyk, Miłosz Grudziłowicz from TM-E No. 3 in Cieszyn;
- “The influence of microgravity on molecular growth mechanisms and the orientation of plant organs,” Grzegorz Szumski, Marek Jastrzębski from IV LO in Gliwice.
- “Production of organic hygiene products from bio-raw materials,” Lena Kowal, Teresa Gandor, Piotr Opała from ALO in Gliwice.
- “Environmentally friendly formulations of retarding masses -recognition of properties,” Agata Stolarczyk, Maja Nose, Agata Gała from I LO in Bytom.
A distinction within the EURECA-PRO for the project:
- “Activated carbon as a balanced carrier of enzymes in the synthesis of cosmetic esters,” Julia Grygiel, Dawid Stachowiak, Mateusz Szczelaszczyk from III LO Chorzów Batory.
Congratulations!
