Open STEM event «What affects the flight of an airplane?»

On April 25, an open STEM event «What affects the flight of an airplane?» was held as part of the All-Ukrainian festival «STEM-Spring 2024» with the aim of implementing the provisions of the Concept for the Development of Science and Mathematics Education (STEM-education) and participating in the April European STEM events. The event was organized by the Out-of-School Education Institution «Center for Scientific and Technical Creativity of Youth »Polit« in cooperation with the Children and Youth Scientific University of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University.

The children were greeted by the rector of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic Viktor Greshta, director of the Children and Youth Scientific University Olena Nazarova, director of the Lyceum »Vybir« Viktoria Yevtushenko, and deputy director for educational work of the ZPO »Polit” Iryna Laguta.

A fascinating excursion was organized for the students to the Museum of the History of Technical Progress of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University under the guidance of Associate Professor of the Department of Ukrainian Studies and General Language Training Volodymyr Chop and Director of the Museum Nataliia Derkach.

The guests of the university attended a class by Professor of the Department of Transport Technologies Oleksiy Kotov. At the beginning of the lesson, the students met with the Dean of the Faculty of Transport, Oleksii Kuzkin, who told future applicants about the prospects of studying at the faculty. During the lesson, the children got acquainted with the design and purpose of aircraft, the materials used in their manufacture, types of engines, crew composition, aircraft identification features, and many other technical characteristics.

A tour of the Department of Electric Drive and Automation of Industrial Installations was held for 11th grade students, during which the head of the department, Andriy Pyrozhok, and associate professor Volodymyr Osadchy demonstrated a powerful laboratory base, explained the fundamental features of all educational programs that are used in the educational process at the department, and organized practical classes at the «School of Drone Operators» under the leadership of the head of the laboratory, Svitlana Donets.

Next, the students were waiting for the competitive stage. The students were grouped into teams consisting of representatives of grades 4, 8, and 10, a draw was held, and the teams received thematic names: chassis, afterburner, wings. According to the conditions of the competition, all teams had time for training – they learned to launch the Mriya aircraft model as far as possible, studied what affects the trajectory and flight range. Friendship won — all participants of the STEM event received memorable souvenirs!

We would like to thank the head of the Department of Physical Culture, Olympic and Non-Olympic Sports Svitlana Atamanyuk for her assistance in organizing the competitive part of the STEM event on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic sports complex.

Such events are the basis for motivating students to choose modern engineering and technical specialties, which the Zaporizhzhia region and Ukraine need for post-war reconstruction.

The doors of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic are always open to creative and inquisitive youth!