Time for creativity – the Regional Tournament of Droniada Junior is behind us
On 11th -12th February, the third edition of the Regional Tournament of Droniada Junior took place in the Complex of Mechanical and Electrical Schools in Rybnik. This year’s competition was of record interest. Silesian University of Technology has been a substantive partner of all Droniada paths for years.
This is the third edition of Droniada Junior, one of the tracks of XIII Droniada GZM 2026. It is a tournament that inspires and encourages children and young people to shape professional paths in the fields of science and engineering, so important for the knowledge economy, also from the point of view of the state creating modern, innovative technologies. The opening ceremony was attended by, among others, Vice-Rector for General Affairs of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Bożena Skołud, Director of the Centre for Defence and Dual-use Technologies Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Arkadiusz Mężyk and Director of the Silesian University of Technology Branch in Rybnik Dr Hab Zygmunt Łukaszczyk, Prof. SUT.
- I congratulate everyone on their courage to join the competition and reach this stage. It is an example of young people who want to move forward, develop, and look for new solutions. This is our future – said the Vice-Rector Bożena Skołud.
- When we think about the defence and security of the state, creativity is the most important thing. The conflict and war in Ukraine show that creativity can do a lot. So far, Ukraine has been able to resist. That is why we are glad that there is a group of young people who have passions, want to develop them, and it would be best if they developed them at the Silesian University of Technology. We must encourage them to do so, and that is why our University is involved in the activities related to the organization of Droniada and Droniada Junior – said Prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk.
The first stage of Droniada Junior was the Grand Test of Drone Knowledge, in which in January over 650 students from all over Poland and several teams from Lithuania took part. The competition takes place in teams of two. The Regional Tournament in Rybnik was the first of four – the next ones will be held in Warsaw and Lublin. This stage consists of two competitions, checking both manual skills (overcoming the obstacle course with the drone as quickly as possible) and the ability to think logically (programming task).
- We are very pleased with the interest and high level of knowledge. In order to qualify for regional tournaments, the Grand Test of Drone Knowledge required 90% correct answers – says Dr Eng. Aldona Rosner from the Silesian University of Technology branch in Rybnik, co-organizer of Droniada. – This year, a lot of participants from primary schools also applied. We inspire from an early age and constantly encourage you to develop your interests in technical and engineering fields.
This was also possible thanks to the fact that in the Rybnik institution representatives of the Faculties and Science Clubs from the Silesian University of Technology presented their offer. The students were happy to talk to them.
Competition means not only winning places and prizes, but participation is also important as you are members of a community that creates a new reality. We need to create reality for the next generations. I would like to thank the participants, - said Professor Zygmunt Łukaszczyk.
The tournament in Rybnik was attended by 27 teams from primary schools and 44 teams from secondary schools. The level was extremely high and even, so additional criteria were needed when selecting the winners in some categories. The “Robaczki” team from the Academic Secondary Comprehensive School of the Silesian University of Technology in Rybnik was promoted to the May finals, which will be organized again in the ZSME in Rybnik on 28-29 May.
Silesian University of Technology has been a substantive partner of Droniada for years, including all its paths. The organizers of the event are the Mikromakro Institute Foundation, PBL Academy Foundation, Little bit Academy, Rural Support Foundation, and the City of Rybnik together with a Complex of Mechanical and Electrical Schools in Rybnik.
