Kids at Polytechnics... in Częstochowa

Częstochowa has gained a reputation for its innovative approach to workforce education. The city, primarily known for its traditional industry, whose staff was largely absorbed by the automotive sector, exceptionally regretted the systemic changes in vocational and technical education. Therefore, earlier than other cities, it began to seek solutions to address this issue and fill the gap in the market. That is how the first tools of the program Better Job Now, the Professional Cooperation project, and even earlier Academic Częstochowa were created.

Even before it became common to mention business, science and local government in one sentence, we knew that it was impossible to develop the region without close cooperation in this area.

In Częstochowa, apart from several private universities, there are two public universities: Jan Długosz University and the Częstochowa University of Technology. Universities today are aware of the need to be competitive, and without cooperation, it is difficult to achieve. Profiling education at the secondary level so a young person, when choosing a career path, has no need to escape from the city is a priority for every local government, university and business. Everyone plays for one goal.

The exemplary model, implemented in Częstochowa, was the establishment of a glass technology technician profile in one of the Częstochowa technical schools, along with financial support from the city to create the field of glass and ceramics technology at the Częstochowa University of Technology. Graduates from both programs, at both post-primary and higher levels, could find employment at Guardian Glass and Stoelzle Częstochowa, two industry giants present in the city, as well as at Press Glass, located in the vicinity.

Częstochowa University of Young Explorers

However, what to do to encourage such young people to choose a technical school? How can we convince a child that more years spent in school, more learning and practice is an asset? There is no other way than to use the potential that has always been hidden in children, their curiosity and creativity. It is necessary to awaken and develop passions in children, hoping that one of them will help the future engineer grow up – but this must be done skillfully.

A unique action is certainly the Częstochowa University of Young Explorers, which has been educating hundreds of kids since 2017. In the last five years, eight editions of this interesting project have already taken place. Each subsequent one is usually the first opportunity for its very young participants to come into contact with the University of Technology – potentially it can also translate into their later interest in technical studies in our city, which is what all interested parties count on: the city, the university and potential employers.

A university for kids, like any higher education institution, requires them to be diligent, pass consecutive subjects and have an Index. Each project is officially opened by the Rector of the Częstochowa University of Technology, prof. Norbert Sczygiol (called by children the king because of his toga), who is always accompanied by Krzysztof Matyjaszczyk – the Mayor of Częstochowa or one of his deputies. The Częstochowa Investor Assistance Center under its Invest In Częstochowa brand has been supporting CzUMO (Częstochowa University of Young Explorers in Polish: Częstochowski Uniwersytet Młodego Odkrywcy) for years from the very beginning – being in constant contact with entrepreneurs, they understand the need for such action quite well. As part of Academic Częstochowa, it supported three editions with a grant. Does it work? Of course. This year’s Częstochowa University of Young Explorers turned out to be record-breaking in terms of the number of students participating in it, and the number of volunteers significantly exceeded the capacity of the project. This year, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science of the Częstochowa University of Technology admitted 265 children from primary schools. In total, 1,590 students can boast of a graduate diploma.

For years, children have been attracted by a friendly atmosphere, they are not yet aware that their lecturers are teaching staff consisting in the vast majority of doctors and professors who pass on their knowledge through play.

From Mars rover research to bionic classes

This year, the fascinating world of science could be explored by examining the world with a Mars rover, 3D printing, drone flights, educational robots (Photon, Dash and Dot), the use of a thermal imaging camera to measure temperature, playing with energy, travel workshops and IPMA Kids and IPMA workshops teens. The basis, however, is fun math, i.e. logical games and activities, mechanics for the youngest and Robotics LEGO WeDo and LEGO MINDSTORMS.

The most popular classes are still those related to bionics, and although the name itself may sound somewhat unfamiliar, studying in the company of praying mantises or grasshoppers not only fascinates but also helps to understand the mechanisms of the modern world and the changes occurring within it. All CzUMO students also create prints on their clothes themselves using the screen printing method. Let’s hope that among the graduates, there will be successors to the young constructors from the PCz Rover Team, who consistently rank among the top competitors in the University Rover Challenge – a prestigious international competition for Mars rovers built by students. The challenge takes place at the Mars Desert Research Station in the Utah desert, United States, in collaboration with scientists working in the space sector, including NASA. On May 25th, this year, the Częstochowa team has already embarked on their journey, and the city has also supported this project with a grant as part of the Academic Częstochowa program.

Author: Anna Tymoshenko, Head of the Investor Assistance Center, City Hall of Częstochowa.

Translation: Magdalena Wytrzymała.

This article comes from magazine:
FOCUS ON Business #11 July-August (4/2023)