Laboratories of the future
The visit of the German students had a strongly practical focus. Together with their peers from ALO PB, the students from Würzburg had the opportunity to work with unique, advanced research equipment used on a daily basis by students and researchers of Bialystok University of Technology.
- in the laboratories of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, they conducted chemistry and biotechnology experiments. They worked under the supervision of Monika Kalinowska, DSc, PhD, Eng., Assoc. Prof. at Bialystok University of Technology, Marzena Smolewska, MSc, Dorota Filipiuk, MSc, and Natalia Kowalczyk, MSc Eng. Each experiment was preceded by a theoretical introduction, enabling the students to quickly understand the purpose and significance of their analyses;
- at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, they explored the structure of materials. Under the supervision of Adam Bajkowski, PhD, Eng., Piotr Tarasiuk, PhD, Eng., and Ewa Borucińska-Parfieniuk, MSc Eng., they worked with a modern electron microscope, discovering the fascinating world of materials engineering;
- thanks to the kindness of Prof. Anna Gromotowicz-Popławska, DSc, PhD, Eng., they also visited the Radiopharmacy Centre of the Medical University of Bialystok, where they learned about the secrets of creating and using modern preparations applied in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Robots and meetings with university and regional representatives
The visit of students from Klara-Oppenheimer-Schule was also an opportunity to showcase the creativity of ALO PB students. The secondary school students presented their German peers with their original projects, including autonomous robots, computer games, rocket prototypes and 3D prints.
The exchange also had an important official aspect. The students from Würzburg met with Katarzyna Halicka, DSc, PhD, Eng., Assoc. Prof. at Bialystok University of Technology – Vice-Rector for Education of Bialystok University of Technology. She congratulated the students on their passion for learning and their openness to international contacts.
Students from Klara-Oppenheimer-Schule also visited the Marshal’s Office of the Podlaskie Voivodeship, where they met with regional representatives.
Integration, English in practice and the beauty of Podlasie
Although the academic programme of the visit was demanding, there was also time for building friendships, having fun and overcoming language barriers. All activities – from integration games and Kahoot quizzes to daily discussions in laboratories – were conducted entirely in English. It was an excellent and natural language-learning experience in practice.
An unforgettable part of the programme was a study visit that showed the guests the unique cultural and natural heritage of Podlasie. The students visited, among others:
- the European Bison Show Reserve in Kopna Góra,
- the picturesque valley of the Sokołda River,
- Supraśl, where they admired the collections of the Icon Museum and took part in workshops at the Museum of Papermaking.
Summary
The visit of students from Klara-Oppenheimer-Schule is another example demonstrating that the Academic Secondary School of Bialystok University of Technology (ALO PB) and Bialystok University of Technology itself can successfully combine secondary education with high-level academic education and research in a natural and inspiring way. Projects of this type open up entirely new perspectives for young people and prove that knowledge knows no borders.
The visit of the partner school was prepared and coordinated by Artur Kuźmicz, MA. The organisers would like to thank the employees of Bialystok University of Technology, the University of Bialystok and officers of the Municipal Police in Bialystok for their commitment and support, as well as the students for the enthusiasm and energy they contributed to the project.
The development of international cooperation between the Academic Secondary School of Bialystok University of Technology and the partner school Klara-Oppenheimer-Schule from Würzburg, Germany, is institutionally supported supported by the Polish-German Youth Office within the framework of the MINT projectMINT project.
Text: Artur Kuźmicz; editing: Monika Rokicka
See the photo gallery from the visit of students from Klara-Oppenheimer-Schule in Würzburg to ALO PB and Bialystok University of Technology:
