The 4th edition of the “Politechnika Project”
85 project teams from 36 secondary schools from the Silesian Voivodeship took part in the 4th edition of the “Politechnika Project”. The aim of the program is to involve students in scientific research and to attract the best candidates for studies. Students, under the supervision of scientists in the laboratories of the University carry out projects. Their topics cover all priority research areas of the Silesian University of Technology.
All projects were presented during the conference, which took place on 6th of March in the Education and Congress Centre of the Silesian University of Technology. The work of the students was evaluated by a team of experts, who then awarded outstanding works.
“Through the organization of this project, we want young people to become interested in stem sciences, i.e. Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics. We invite them to our laboratories, where in small groups of three, they work under the supervision of a mentor, that is, our academic teacher” – said Professor Anna Chrobok, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education. – “Students, by carrying out their projects, acquire knowledge, develop soft skills such as the ability to work in a group, learn how to overcome difficulties that arise during their work and finally how to present their results.” – said the Vice-Rector.
The “Politechnika Project” is also an opportunity to present students the potential of our University and show them that here they can do interesting and interesting things, develop, acquire skills and competences needed on the labour market.
- “Silesian University of Technology has well-equipped laboratories, we have equipment at the highest, world-class level, students can see it, take advantage of it under the supervision of mentors and thus find out what the work of a scientist looks like. Some of these students also take part in conferences, during which they present their work in front of a wider group, which allows them to acquire skills such as creativity and communication.” – said Professor Beata Orlińska, director of the College of Studies at the Silesian University of Technology.
Ewa Borys, an expert of the Education Board in Katowice, stressed that initiatives such as the “Politechnika Project” are an excellent form of encouraging young people to take up education at universities. “Studies are not only about knowledge, but it is also about the development of a young person, acquiring skills that later allow them to cope on the labour market not only in Poland but also abroad,” said Ewa Borys.
The projects, prepared by young people, concerned the problems of sustainable development, environmental protection, threats of the modern world or climate change. The team of experts awarded 8 projects. One of them is OSKAR – Personal Analytical-Responsive Communication System, or AI Assistant. It was created by: Borys Rogowski, Jakub Frąsiak, Szymon Gilner under the care of Dr Eng. Mariola Jureczko from the Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.
OSKAR is a combination of many factors that allow this device to simultaneously interpret the image of a human voice and generate a response. It has knowledge of physics, chemistry, biology, geography. It can be used at home as a smart control system, it can help us with doing homework, and even propose kitchen recipes and a good movie for the evening – says one of the creators of the system Borys Rogowski, a student of the Technical and Information Technology School Complex in Gliwice.
“OSKAR can be a great companion – an assistant to each of us. It may help at work, suggest how to take care of a task, can also be a companion of lonely people who need a conversation, because OSKAR is an artificial intelligence, but very empathetic, it answers our questions like a human, not like a robot.” – adds Szymon Gilner, the second author.
Dr Eng. Mariola Jureczko emphasizes that working on projects is a benefit for both parties.
- “The young generation is well versed in issues related to artificial intelligence and approaches the tasks on the principle of fun, using chatbots perfectly. We scientists, in turn, give them very exact knowledge, such as image processing, electronics, mechanics. For students, working on the project was also an opportunity to get to know the facilities of our University, faculty and laboratories” – the researcher noted.
The fourth edition of the “Politechnika Project” was attended by 225 students.
Awarded projects
The team of experts appointed by the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education during the conference distinguished posters of the following teams, whose members, if they become students of the Silesian University of Technology, will receive a scholarship in the amount of PLN 700 per month for 10 months in the first year of study, on the terms specified in the Rector’s Order No. 169/2024:
- Energy analysis in the context of the carbon footprint of the 3D printing process and the production of filament by recycling plastics:
Academic Secondary Comprehensive School in Rybnik
Team members: Wiktoria Janik, Karol Szweda, Mikołaj Pustelnik
Supervisor: Dr Hab. Eng. Albert Smalcerz, Prof. of Silesian University of Technology
- Emergency landing system of the drone in case of damage to one of the propulsion systems”: Second Secondary Comprehensive School in Kędzierzyn-Koźle
Team members: Maciej Cepil, Adam Proske, Bartosz Rosak
Supervisor: Dr Eng. Wawrzyniec Panfil (SUT), Ryszard Wiśniowski, Witold Joniak
- Green Grass - design of the garden irrigation control system with the use of THE LOGO logic controller. Third Secondary Comprehensive School in Ruda Śląska
Team members: Marcin Przydział, Patryk Krajcer, Wojciech Pogorzałek
Supervisor: Dr Eng. Gabriela Fojt-Dymara (SUT)
- S.K.A.R. - The Personal Analytical and Responsive Communication System: ZSTI in Gliwice
Team members: Borys Rogowski, Jakub Frąsiak, Szymon Gilner
Supervisor: Dr Eng. Mariola Jureczko (SUT)
- A designer biocatalyzator based on lipase in balanced synthesis of oleic acid esters: Third Secondary Comprehensive School in Chorzów
Team members: Maciej Mela, Grzegorz Florek, Oleksii Bulavinstev
SUPERVISOR: Dr Eng. Agnieszka Siewniak (SUT), M.Sc.Eng.. Anna Wolny
- Design and commissioning of a wireless sensor network system for determining indoor air quality in many rooms: Fifth Secondary Comprehensive School in Gliwice
Team members: Henryk Kaźmierczak, Paweł Furtak, Hanna Kierat
Supervisor: Dr Hab. Eng. Wojciech Kierat, prof. of Silesian University of Technology
The team awarded at the EURECA-PRO University for the topics related to responsible consumption and production
- Packaging of the future - obtaining and testing the physico-chemical properties of chitosan films containing plant extracts: ZSU in Rybnik
Team members: Dawid Kuczera, Dorota Dudek, Zofia Prostacka
Supervisor: Dr Hab. Eng. Gabriela Dudek, Prof. SUT, MSc. Eng. Agata Wawoczy
Team awarded by BON
- The O.K.O. system - Personal Image messenger for people with visual problems: ZSTI in Gliwice
Team members: Dawid Wójcicki, Jacek Wiaterek, Jakub Ćwik
Supervisor: Dr Eng. Mariola Jureczko, M.Sc. Eng. Maciej Mrówka
A distinguished Supervisor on behalf of Silesian University of Technology
- Dr Eng. Mariola Jureczko.
