The growing importance of technology in everyday life and industry emphasizes the need to introduce its principles to a new generation of students and to educate future experts. To help young people better understand how modern electronic devices work and why semiconductors are crucial to today’s technological society, the Institute of Physical Engineering at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, together with colleagues from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, has focused on the systematic popularization of physics and semiconductor phenomena among high-school students.
These activities take place within the framework of the European project CHIPS of Europe – a large-scale initiative connecting universities, research institutions, and industrial partners across Europe, from Germany, France, and Denmark to Austria, Norway, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic. The project aims to modernize technical education, develop professional competencies, introduce new forms of micro-credentials, and strengthen cooperation between academia, industry, and schools at all levels.
An important part of the project is also bringing science closer to children and teachers to inspire greater interest in studying technical and natural sciences.
Since the beginning of the project, the team at the Institute of Physical Engineering has regularly organized popularization events attended by more than 500 high-school students from across the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Among the most prominent activities were physics shows focused on semiconductors, hands-on workshops in physics and electron microscopy, and thematic excursions to the CEITEC VUT laboratories.
Special attention has also been devoted to supporting diversity in science – the togetHER in tech event welcomed dozens of female students interested in technology and natural sciences, while a teacher workshop introduced new approaches to presenting semiconductor topics in an engaging way.
Thanks to the CHIPS of Europe project, the institute continues to systematically strengthen cooperation with high schools, inspire teachers, and cultivate interest in physics, electronics, and technical disciplines among a new generation of students.
