MINT Without Borders: An Interdisciplinary Scientific Bridge Between Białystok and Germany

International Synergy of Science, Passion, and Innovation at ALO PB

At the Academic Secondary School of Bialystok University of Technology (ALO PB), the paradigm of modern education is founded on the belief that authentic learning transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. Since 2021, our institution has successfully pursued a strategic educational and research mission based on the synergistic integration of advanced STEM education (Mathematics, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, and Technology) with the intensive development and strengthening of long-term Polish-German relations.

The Genesis of the Initiative: From Strategic Vision to an International Partnership Network

The foundation of this multifaceted initiative lies in the original vision, extraordinary passion, and organizational work of Mr. Artur Kuźmicz, M.A., German language teacher and Coordinator for International Cooperation at ALO PB. Owing to his determination and managerial commitment, key institutional partnerships were established in 2021. A major milestone was the initiation of cooperation with Ms. Elisabeth Ritter, Director of the Polish-German Youth Cooperation Office (PNWM) in Warsaw, and the renowned Elisabeth-Gymnasium in Halle (Saale), where Mr. Steffen Kreuzmann became the central pillar of activities on the German side.

Despite the extreme logistical challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project achieved lasting operational continuity. Thanks to the dedication of Mr. Artur Kuźmicz and Mr. Steffen Kreuzmann, an innovative format of weekly Monday online scientific seminars was successfully implemented.

Under the substantive supervision of Ms. Marzena Smolewska, M.A., in the field of chemistry, young researchers from Poland and Germany conducted comparative physicochemical and ecological analyses of water, air, and soil samples from the Podlasie and Saxony-Anhalt regions. A lasting outcome of this cooperation is the unique trilingual digital platform mint.pb.edu.pl, serving as a knowledge base and repository of research results, developed under the expert technical supervision of Ms. Anetta Pogrebniak, M.A.

Research Component: Practical Implementation and Scientific Evaluation

The projects carried out at ALO PB extend far beyond the framework of theoretical school discourse. Students, who jointly select the annual research topic using a scientific methodology approach, conduct advanced laboratory and field research projects in the following areas:

• Phytotoxicological Analysis: Identification and mapping of poisonous plants in the immediate urban environment;
• Environmental Monitoring: Investigation of pollutant emissions and immissions within the school’s infrastructure;
• Eco-Chemical Safety: Assessment of chemical, microbiological, and biological hazards;
• Comparative Ecotoxicology: Comparative evaluation of water, soil, and atmospheric pollution levels in selected regions of Poland and Germany.

Applied Dimension

Crucially, from the perspective of scientific methodology, the results generated by student research teams possess genuine practical value. They directly contribute to pro-environmental recommendations and the modernization of environmental safety procedures within the ALO PB campus.

Science Diplomacy and the Development of European Identity

Thanks to systematic financial and substantive support from the Polish-German Youth Cooperation (PNWM), the MINT projects have evolved into an international platform for the exchange of experiences. In 2026, the fourth cyclical scientific expedition to Halle already took place, while German delegations continue to visit Białystok regularly each year.

The high substantive quality of the projects and their organizational excellence have been recognized by administrative and academic authorities at the highest levels. Project participants are regularly received during official meetings by:

• the Mayor of Białystok,
• the Mayor of Halle,
• the Marshal of the Podlaskie Voivodeship,
• the Mayor of Tykocin,
• and the Rector of Bialystok University of Technology.

This activity constitutes a model example of science diplomacy and practical education in shaping a shared European civic identity.

New Vectors of Development: Institutional Expansion (Kirn, Duisburg, Würzburg)

The year 2024 marked the beginning of the project’s dynamic expansion to additional scientific and educational centers in Germany. As a result of the extensive professional network and personal efforts of Mr. Artur Kuźmicz, the ALO PB partnership network expanded to include several key institutions:

Realschule Plus in Kirn

In April 2026, ALO PB students participated in specialized hydrological workshops in Germany. In turn, in May 2026, our school hosted a delegation from Kirn, during which advanced joint laboratory analyses of the surface water quality in Białystok and the properties of sediments originating from the municipal wastewater treatment plant were conducted at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of Bialystok University of Technology.

Robert-Bosch-Berufskolleg in Duisburg & Klara-Oppenheimer-Schule in Würzburg

As part of the prestigious Erasmus+ programme, ALO PB hosted a record group of 57 project participants from Duisburg (March 2026) and Würzburg (June 2026). These visits resulted in advanced scientific research conducted in the specialist laboratories of Bialystok University of Technology, including comparative qualitative analyses of food products available on Polish and German markets, as well as investigations into degradation processes and the aging kinetics of medicinal substances.

For students and pupils from Germany, visiting Podlasie also represents an intensive period of language immersion, cultural heritage exploration, and discovering the region’s unique natural environment.

Architects of Success: Staff and Partners

The spectacular success and international recognition of the MINT projects at ALO PB are the direct result of synergy, passion, and the tremendous organizational efforts of a broad team of specialists.

Special words of appreciation and gratitude are extended to:

• Mr. Artur Kuźmicz – initiator, chief coordinator, and the linguistic and logistical pillar of international cooperation, whose vision gave momentum to the entire project;
• Ms. Anetta Pogrebniak and Ms. Marzena Smolewska – for their expert substantive, educational, and technical supervision ensuring the high methodological quality of the research;
• Our German partners: Steffen Kreuzmann and Fabian Jabs (Elisabeth-Gymnasium in Halle (Saale)), Julia Beck (Realschule Plus in Kirn), Amelie Sachnik (Robert-Bosch-Berufskolleg in Duisburg), and Renate Wallner (Klara-Oppenheimer-Schule in Würzburg);
• Ms. Ewa Chmielewska and Ms. Aleksandra Motyka from PNWM – for their invaluable kindness, professional mentoring, and strategic financial support.

We also express our profound gratitude for the patronage and support of young scientific talents to the authorities of Bialystok University of Technology, the Marshal’s Office of the Podlaskie Voivodeship, the Białystok City Hall, the Mayor of Tykocin, and the Management Board of ALO PB.

Join the International Scientific Community of ALO PB

Are you fascinated by empirical exploration of the world? Do you aspire to develop your scientific passions within international research teams and help shape the future of global science?

Choose the Academic Secondary School of Bialystok University of Technology (ALO PB) — a place where education gains a real global dimension.

Project Repository

Complete empirical documentation, audiovisual materials, laboratory reports, and photo coverage of the conducted activities are regularly published on the official websites of ALO PB, Bialystok University of Technology, the dedicated project platform mint.pb.edu.pl, as well as in regional and national opinion-forming media outlets.