THE “PROJEKT POLITECHNIKA” is behind us. This is a great opportunity for students
On Friday, September 22, the “PROJEKT POLITECHNIKA” conference summarizing the first edition of a series of research projects carried out at the Silesian University of Technology with secondary school pupils as part of the Excellence Initiative - Research University program took place.
The first edition of a series of research projects carried out at the Silesian University of Technology with secondary school pupils as part of the Excellence Initiative - Research University program has ended. The jury selected 55 projects, which were presented in the form of posters on September 22, 2023, during the “PROJEKT POLITECHNIKA” conference.
The projects selected for implementation cover a very wide range of topics. There was huge interest in participating in the new program of the Silesian University of Technology. Ultimately, our University established cooperation with 18 secondary schools from Gliwice, Rybnik, Katowice, Zabrze, Pyskowice, Siemianowice Śląskie, Dąbrowa Górnicza, Mikołów, Mysłowice, Radzionków and Wodzisław Śląski.
The project teams consisted of 2-3 pupils from the second or third grades of comprehensive secondary schools or technical vocational schools from the Silesian Voivodeship, and were supervised by academic teachers, often supported by PhD students or students. This year, 44 main and 33 assistant tutors took part in the project, providing substantive supervision over 149 pupils. The program also enabled financing the purchase of necessary materials, equipment or services.
The first competition for financing projects implemented with secondary school pupils, as part of the Excellence Initiative - Research University program, was announced in February 2023. Applying for projects, their financing and settlement is carried out in accordance with the rules set out in the Regulations on financing projects implemented with secondary school students, as part of the Excellence Initiative - Research University program.
On September 22, 2023, at the Educational and Congress Centre of the Silesian University of Technology, during the PROJEKT POLITECHNIKA conference, project teams presented the results of their work in the form of posters. The topics of the projects were very diverse, ranging from innovative engineering problems, through chemical, architectural and managerial issues. While implementing research topics in cooperation with the Silesian University of Technology, students develop many valuable skills thanks to the use of the project-oriented education method (PBL - Project-Based Learning). The classes motivate students to independently search for solutions, develop creativity, develop the ability to work effectively in a team and provide reliable argumentation when presenting their ideas.
At the conference, a team of experts selected 6 teams - competition winners:
- Project entitled: Adaptation of the structure and control system of a drone to operate a launcher enabling the spreading of plants in hard-to-reach areas, prepared by pupils of ALO (Academic Secondary Comprehensive School) in Rybnik (Marek Gojny, Tomasz Szczotok, Kamil Turek), project coordinator
- dr hab. Eng. Alberta Smalcerz, prof. SUT, assistant tutors - Michał Nowakowski, Mateusz Pietraszko.
- Project entitled: A computer mouse emulator for people with limited upper limb mobility, prepared by pupils of the 3rd Secondary Comprehensive School in Katowice (Katarzyna Czop, Maria Supernak, Małgorzata Adamczyk), project coordinator - dr Eng. Iwona Chuchnowska, assistant tutor - Andrzej Michnik.
- Project entitled: Research on the properties of vitamins, their analysis and use as ingredients of cosmetic products, prepared by pupils of the 4th Secondary Comprehensive School in Zabrze (Hanna Wolsza, Dominika Kuwała, Julia Kuwała), project coordinator - dr Eng. Agnieszka Siewniak.
- Project entitled: Assessment of the functioning of the musculoskeletal system during various ways of wearing school backpacks, prepared by students of the 1st Secondary Comprehensive School in Gliwice (Anna Grodnicka, Paweł Żuchowicz), project coordinator - dr hab. Eng Robert Michnik, prof. SUT, assistant tutor, MSc. Eng. Hanna Zadoń.
- Project entitled: Model of a switchgear built on the basis of Zamel Exta Life equipment, prepared by students of ZSŁ in Gliwice (Kamil Dziendzioł, Sławomir Krzemiński), project coordinator - dr Eng. Piotr Holajn, assistant tutors - dr Eng. Anna Piwowar, dr Eng. Krzysztof Szytmelski.
- Project entitled: Development and production of ultra-light porous ceramic foams, modified with UPS - combustion by-products, prepared by students of ZST in Mikołów (Damian Gajda, Kamil Herman, Jakub Skapczyk), project coordinator - dr hab. Eng Klaudiusz Gołombek, prof. SUT, assistant tutor, MSc. Eng. Mateusz Lis.
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.
A special EURECA PRO distinction was also awarded for a project related to responsible consumption and production. This award went to the team from ZSME in Rybnik for the project titled: Energy guardian for a residential building. The team was created by pupils: Jakub Jadamus, Grzegorz Wengrzik, Ksawery Sajur, the project coordinator was dr Eng. Marcin Fice, and the assistant tutor - Mateusz Jasiński.
For the winners, it is a great opportunity to plan their future career, said during the conference prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk – Rector of the Silesian University of Technology.
- Participating in this program is a foretaste of studying at the Silesian University of Technology. This year we have changed our study programs. We offer 16 programs that are integrated into joint education in the first year, giving the opportunity to finally choose the field of study only after the first year of education, when the student decides in which area of technical activity he or she most wants to develop. Additionally, a flexible education program will allow each student to choose subjects of interest. This approach to education allows for better specialization of the graduate and preparation for entering the labour market - said the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology.
The competition participants were also addressed by the vice-rector for science and development, prof. Marek Pawełczyk.
- Project-oriented education is already well popularized among students, it is recognized among academic staff, and now we would like to offer it to students of secondary schools. We hope that this will introduce them to the world of scientific research. Regardless of which university the young people who visit us today choose in the future, the experience gained through the implementation of joint projects with our University of Technology will pay off for many years - said prof. Marek Pawełczyk, who developed the principles and promoted the modern method of project-oriented education (PBL - Project Based Learning) at the University of Technology. The experience gained from its pilot implementation several years ago in the field of Automation and Robotics has been dynamically developed throughout the University, where over 200 PBL projects are currently implemented each year and used by students and employees of all faculties. Based on this experience, he proposed a program for involving secondary school pupils in scientific research by implementing projects in a formula similar to PBL.
- The cooperation we have started opens the door to modern research laboratories of the Silesian University of Technology for young people and gives them the opportunity to meet our scientists, PhD students and students, enabling them to participate in fascinating scientific projects. Thanks to this, they create a bond with the university and can plan their future education at the Silesian University of Technology - added prof. Anna Chrobok, Director of the College of Studies, program coordinator.
