The winners of the competition “Physics and ecology” have been announced
On March the 27th, the Centre of New Technologies of the Silesian University of Technology held the final of the XXIX edition of the nationwide competition “Physics and Ecology” named after Prof. Mieczysław F. Pazdur. Among the 17 finalists, Antoni Lipiński and Piotr Śpiechowicz from the Słupsk School of Young Physicists were the best.
It was already the XXIX edition of the “Physics and Ecology” competition. Its aim is, among others, to disseminate knowledge about the need to protect the natural environment and climate, and to shape research skills and interpretation of scientific research results. For many of the winners of previous editions, this was the beginning of a scientific career.
The final was opened by the Director of the Institute of Physics - Centre for Science and Education of the Silesian University of Technology, Dr Hab. Eng. Grzegorz Adamiec, Prof. SUT. The history of the competition was presented by Dr Hab. Eng. Adam Michczyński, prof. SUT.
It was attended by secondary school pupils who competed individually or in teams of two. The subject matter was extremely diverse – from the Seebeck phenomenon to noise in the urban environment, the use of electromagnets in recycling or the use of UV radiation for water treatment.
The jury assessed not only the knowledge, but also the way it was presented. The competition’s research works were to contain original results of own research or analysis, e.g. results of experiments, measurements, construction studies.
- The authors of the works presented their results efficiently and all of them fit within the required time of 8 minutes. They then answered the jury’s questions. They had the opportunity to show their passion for science – explains the Chairman of the Organizing Committee Dr Hab. Eng. Danuta J. Michczyńska, Prof. SUT.
Finally, the jury decided that the first place was taken by Antoni Lipiński and Piotr Śpiechowicz from the Słupsk School of Young Physicists for their work entitled “Clean Energy: An Immortal Bulb.” Right behind them there were Aleksander Głębocki and Wiktor Wypych (II LO named after R. Traugutt in Częstochowa) for their work entitled “The use of UV radiation for water treatment.” The third place was awarded to two participants: Kajetan Kraska (Technical School No. 1 in ZS “Elektryk” in Słupsk) for his work entitled “Modelling of natural phenomena: Mistletoe: A symbol of love and an innocent ornament or the death of trees and an ecological threat?” and Zuzanna Kłak (Academic Secondary Comprehensive School of the Silesian University of Technology in Rybnik) for her work entitled “Seebeck phenomenon as an alternative method of obtaining electricity”.
- The winning team took up the topic of a prototype of an ecological LED light source (popularly known as an "LED bulb"). They designed a light source with a heat sink, a removable protective cover, and easily replaceable diodes - explains Prof. Danuta J. Michczyńska. - Both the organizers and the jury were impressed by the high level of experiments conducted by the youth. We hope that the participants will want to expand their knowledge and skills by choosing studies at the Silesian University of Technology.
The sponsors of this year’s edition were: Silesian University of Technology, Regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Katowice, ProPoint, AIUT and Helion. During the event, participants had the opportunity to take a closer look at physical presentations presented by Dr Hab. Eng. Jarosław Sikorski, Prof. SUT.
The competition is one of the elements of a wider educational campaign under the same title. The action also includes online lectures and contact workshops. More information is available at: https://www.polsl.pl/rif/konkursfae/
