Record-breaking Talent Polytechnic. Nearly 200 students explored Gdańsk Tech from the inside over two days
193 students and 26 teachers participated in the fourth edition of the Talents Polytechnic. For two days, young people from Pomeranian high schools and technical schools took part in classes at Gdańsk Tech, explored the campus, and experienced what student life is like. This was the largest edition of the event in its history.
193 students and 26 teachers participated in the fourth edition of the Talents Polytechnic. For two days, young people from Pomeranian high schools and technical schools took part in classes at Gdańsk Tech, explored the campus, and experienced what student life is like. This was the largest edition of the event in its history.
The Talent Polytechnic took place on September 17th and 18th. Participants chose one of six thematic panels: architectural, ecological-technical, economic-linguistic, mathematical-physical, biological-chemical, or information technology.
The fourth edition of the event was opened by Prof. Barbara Wikieł, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs at Gdańsk Tech.
– I am very pleased that we can today commence the fourth edition of Politechnika Talentów. Especially given that this year we are meeting in a record-breaking group. No fewer than 193 students and 26 teachers have registered to participate in the event. This is the highest number in the history of the event so far – said Prof. Barbara Wikieł.
Over half a thousand students have participated in the four editions of the Talent Polytechnic so far.
Seeing the university from the inside
The first day began with coaching and integration workshops led by Beata Butkiewicz, Olga Grabowska, Iwona Gryś, and Joanna Falicka from the Talent Development Center in Gdańsk. Then, the participants met in the Gdańsk Tech Auditorium, where the inaugural lecture “The Contributions of Cats to Science” was presented by Katarzyna Siuzdak and Katarzyna Grochowska from the Robert Szewalski Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Sciences, also known for the Science Mission initiative.
Later, the students proceeded to sessions within their chosen panels. Each participant engaged in four two-hour blocks spread over the two days of the event.
The program was very diverse. Some created hydrogels and molecular kinship tests, others designed models for 3D printing, prepared biodegradable cutlery from potato starch, or explored the basics of nuclear power plants and quantum calculations. Participants also developed a game in C++, examined how algorithms recognize synthetic voices, and designed urban spaces. In the economics and language panel, during sessions prepared by the Foreign Languages Centre in cooperation with the Faculty of Management and Economics at Gdańsk Tech, students improved their English communication skills. In the workshops “Ideas That Sell: Storytelling and Pitching in English” and “Speak, Persuade, Negotiate!” they worked on storytelling, presenting their own ideas, argumentation, persuasion, and negotiation.
– We want you to see our university from the inside. Not only to listen about the fields of study or to tour the campus, but to try it yourselves, experiment, ask questions, and find out what working at Gdańsk Tech is like – said Prof. Barbara Wikieł during the opening.
The Vice-Rector also encouraged students to use their time at Gdańsk Tech to explore what truly interests them.
– Not everyone in high school or technical school knows exactly which field they want to study or what they will be doing in a few years. And it is not necessary to know this today. However, it is worth trying, searching, and checking what truly interests you. The Talent Polytechnic gives you exactly this opportunity – said Prof. Wikieł.
Night in the Dormitory and Evening at Kwadratowa
Talent Polytechnic was designed to showcase the university not only from the perspective of classes. After the first day, most participants were accommodated in Student Dormitory No. 4. In the evening, they took part in an integration event organized by the PG Student Government at the PG Academic Club "Kwadratowa".
On Friday, two more blocks of classes took place. Afterwards, the participants met for a joint summary and received their diplomas. At the end, those interested could still participate in activities prepared by the PG Academic Sports Center.
The organization of Talent Polytechnic also involved 16 student volunteers who supported the participants during the two days of the event and helped ensure the smooth implementation of the program.
Program Also for Teachers
A separate program was prepared for 26 teachers who came to Gdańsk Tech together with the students.
On the first day, they participated in a historical walk around the campus and workshops conducted by the Gdańsk Tech Center for Modern Education dedicated to the prevention of professional burnout.
On Friday, CNE organized a workshop "Teaching Agency: How to Develop an Entrepreneurial Attitude in Secondary School Students?". The teachers also viewed the historical collections of the Gdańsk Tech Library and toured the library.
– It is you who very often are the first to notice the interests and talents of young people, help develop them, and encourage them to try something more – addressed the teachers, Prof. Barbara Wikieł.
The fourth edition of Politechnika Talentów concluded on Friday afternoon. For two days, participants had the opportunity to see what studying, daily life, and the atmosphere at Gdańsk Tech look like. For many of them, it was the first chance to view the university not from the perspective of an applicant, but almost like a student.
