Weekend with the Silesian Science Festival!
Two hundred scientists of the Silesian University of Technology, over fifty activities prepared by our representatives, an extraordinary concert and the Silesian Science Award for Dr Hab. Eng. Janusz Szewczenko, Prof. SUT - this is how we can summarise what happened last weekend during the 9th Silesian Science Festival KATOWICE .
Silesian University of Technology, as a co-organizer and active participant of the Silesian Science Festival, once again showed the power of science this past weekend. This year’s edition of the festival is held under the slogan “Experiment!,” which was also encouraged by the representatives of our University.
In total, representatives of the Silesian University of Technology prepared 55 activities, including presentations, lectures, workshops, exhibition, and experiments, which concerned the latest developments in technology – from space engineering to drones and artificial intelligence.
- This year we are focusing on artificial intelligence. We would like to show that artificial intelligence is not only text generators, but also design, systems control. At our stands, it is possible to get really acquainted with artificial intelligence and broaden our knowledge in this area – said Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk, the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology.
- Our university also conducts space research. Our region has a lot to say in this regard, and we prove it during the Silesian Science Festival. Several of our science clubs, operating in this area, show their experiments, also in the field of building rockets and rocket engines from various types of materials. I think that this may be new industry in Silesia – added the Rector.
During the opening conference of the Festival, he also encouraged visitors to visit the stands of the Silesian University of Technology in order to broaden their knowledge about the latest research in the field of defence. I think next year we will show a lot more in this area. It is important for the society, which will understand better that investment in these areas of science is important and we – scientists of the Silesian University of Technology – are already doing a lot in this area – said the Rector.
Representatives of the Silesian University of Technology were present in six thematic zones, including the Technical, Science, Nature, Medicine and Health, Humanities and Social Sciences Zone and the Art Zone. Most of the technical inventions were seen in the Technical Zone.
- As always, it is here that we present our greatest scientific achievements with the participation of employees and students. We share our successes in the field of aviation, industrial implementations, electromobility or motorsport - said Dr. Eng. Rafał Setlak, Vice-Dean for Student Affairs and Education at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. It was here that one could talk about drones and space rovers, as well as make a keyring from elements printed on a 3D printer Also here one could sit behind the wheel of the car and try one’s hand as a railway driver.
- The railway simulator with an 8D screen is always a treat for visitors, regardless of age. You can feel like in a cabin of a Silesian Railways locomotive, which transports passengers on a daily basis. There was no shortage of people willing to take control of the train at our stand – said Dr Eng. Adam Mańka, Vice-Dean for Infrastructure and Organization of the Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering.
The participants of the Festival often stopped by the model of the eco-house. Dr Hab. Eng. Jan Kaczmarczyk, Prof. SUT, representing the Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology, explained how to set up one’s house or apartment in line with ecology.
- We show how different smart home solutions work on a single-family house scale. In this example, you can see how underfloor heating and energy storage work, and how you can use the saved energy for other purposes – he explained.
Sharing knowledge about technologies we use on a daily basis took place with the participation of students, PhD students, and employees of the Silesian University of Technology in many places in the hall of the International Congress Centre. Almost all the Faculties shared their achievements and discussed scientific experiences.
Representatives of the Silesian University of Technology actively participated in numerous discussion panels and debates, but that is not all. One of the biggest attractions that took place during the Silesian Science Festival with the participation of the Silesian University of Technology was a concert entitled “Sounds of Knowledge” performed by the Silesian University of Technology Symphony Orchestra. Musicians under the baton of conductor Miłosz Korpol invited listeners to an extraordinary musical journey. They presented classical melodies, film music, and Latin American rhythms. The Silesian University of Technology Orchestra is co-created by students, graduates, and doctoral students not only of our university, but also of other Silesian academic centres. It is a highly interdisciplinary group: it represents engineering, science, medicine, and artistic fields. They share a common dominant feature: passion, ambition, and the need to create culture at the highest level. The performance of the Orchestra graced the Evening in the City of Science, which took place at the end of the first day of the Silesian Science Festival.
On the second day of the Festival, the winners of the Silesian Science Award were selected. This year the statue went to Dr Hab. Eng. Janusz Szewczenko, Prof. SUT. The professor is associated with the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering with the Department of Biomaterials and Engineering of Medical Devices and deals with research in the field of polymer materials used in implants. The professor’s research focuses on the prevention of inflammation and postoperative complications, which are a fundamental challenge in the use of metal implants, especially in orthopaedics and traumatology.
Congratulations!
At the same time, we would like to remind you that the Silesian Science Festival lasts until Monday, December 8th.
A detailed schedule of the Festival events can be found HERE.
fot. Maciej Mutwil, Radek Struzik, Tomasz Kiełkowski
