Széchenyi István University welcomed primary and secondary school students again this year at the Small Researchers’ Academy Competition, where young enthusiastic students could learn about the different fields of science and the innovative research taking place here using various programs developed in accordance to their age and knowledge levels. The event was also an excellent opportunity to help young kids dreams about what they want to be aka career choices as well as to to introduce them to the Győr campus, a place for grownups to have fun by learning and creating new things.
The Széchenyi University has been participating in the national Researchers’ Night program for several years now, and has once again successfully organised the Researchers’ Academy Competition for younger age groups. Participants were able to get closer to science and experience various research activities and their environment, the laboratory. An important aim of the event was to provide career guidance and an introduction to the university for secondary and primary school pupils alike.
In addition to playful activities, the students were given an insight into or understanding of the modern laboratory and lecture hall of the Győr campus. During the visit the young researchers were put in teams where they learned directly from experts in their field at various stations about topics such as vehicle diagnostics, 3D printing, the human body, and healthy eating, among others.
The event is popular with teachers and children alike, with everyone from young to old learning something new.
“The programme has a reputation that precedes it, I’ve heard good things about it and I thought my class would enjoy it, they are very interested and open to everything. Besides being fun, I think it’s also useful, as it’s a great opportunity for students to get to know more of the exciting research and disciplines of study going on here,” said Rita Pusztai Dákainé, head of a ninth-grade class at the Jedlik Ányos Engineering and Information Technology College and Technical College of Győr SZC, who was visiting the Researchers’ Academy Competition with her students for the first time.
In addition to secondary school students, many primary school classes also took part in the event.
“We thought that taking part in the Young Student Science Challenge was a great community-building activity for the class, where everyone could find a topic of interest. It can also help students with picking a pathway forward regarding their future career spectrum, as it gives them insight into a range of disciplines that can guide them in their future career decision. This is particularly relevant for seventh graders,” said Krisztina Mecséri, who came to the programme with her 7th grade class from the Szent Benedek Primary School in Győrszentiván.
In the competition, 15 teams competed in three different categories. The prizes were awarded by Dr Balázs Horváth, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Transport Engineering at the Széchenyi University.