Education Fair – a positive climate for knowledge.

Uncommon teaching profiles, international secondary-school final exams, foreign student exchanges, special interest clubs, superbly equipped lecture halls and a splendid "climate" - nearly 400 exhibitors at the Education Fair tried to outmatch each other with arguments that would convince visitors to choose their school or university. Not only Polish educational institutions but international ones too presented their offers. Making an appearance at the fair were higher learning institutions from Great Britain, the Netherlands and even Hawaii and Australia.

The opportunity to meet directly with school representatives is often a deciding factor for students choosing their further education path. It is from these contacts that students draw inspiration and knowledge concerning even those questions not discussed in brochures and Internet Web sites. This is why exhibitor stalls were continuously crowded with young interested people.

Following the slogan EDUCATION - RESEARCH - INNOVATION, the Education Fair has become not only a place for presenting schools and universities, but also a source of knowledge - both for students and teachers - about the newest trends in education and scientific research.

On Saturday during Scientist's Day, future students could get acquainted with the scientific research being conducted at the most important Poznań universities. Lecturers, representing various branches of science, probed fascinating scientific problems through interactive demonstrations.

Particular focus during this year's Education Fair was given to the exact sciences. For three days, in a special area arranged by the Poznań University of Technology, "Technology in a Positive Atmosphere" was presented. Scientific experiments, demonstrations using the latest technologies and innovative inventions were viewed by crowds of students.

The youngest students could try their hand at workshops that took place in the Technological City. Robot programming, chemical reactions, physics experiments and hovercraft rides convinced young discoverers that science can also be good fun.

The fair schedule was tightly packed with events, presentations and appearances. Students could see the accomplishments of their peers from other schools and universities, which were not only from the fields of education and research but also the arts. Exhibitors boasted their special interest clubs, including hobby oriented ones, which persuaded that Polish schools and universities are colourful and interesting places that are the pride of their pupils, students, teachers and research workers.

Teachers discovered exciting innovations in the area of lecturing at the 13th Education Fair during a series of interesting workshops and conferences. Many of them took advantage of methodological advice and perfected their skills in workshops.

The Education Fair was honoured by the presence of the Minister of Education - Katarzyna Hall.

The fair was under the honourable patronage of the Ministry of National Education, Ministry of Science and Higher Education and Board of Rectors of the City of Poznań.

The organizers of the Education Fair were the Poznań International Fair, Teachers' Training Centre in Poznań and the Local Government of Wielkopolska.

The Education Fair was accompanied by the School Equipment Exhibition, where modern school furniture and everything for the lecture halls of the 21st century could be found. Touchscreens, electronic indicators, modern computer software that can replace textbooks enchanted students and teachers alike.

Taking place at the same time at the Poznań International Fair was the Books for Children and Young People - 8th Poznań Trade Fair Meetings. A wealth of colourful books, magazines and textbooks drew the attention of the youngest fair visitors especially. Young book worms met here with the authors of their favourite books, took part in drawing play with an illustrator, watched presentations and illustration shows and marched in the Billy Goat Parade with Koziołek Matołek and his relatives from the Poznań city hall. Many of the little fair guests arrived at the Poznań Trade Fair Meetings via the "Fairy Tale Tram".

Adults at the 8^th Poznań Trade Fair Meetings also had no reasons to be bored! For them, the organizers - Poznań International Fair, Polish Association of Book Publishers and the ZAMEK Cultural Centre - together with exhibitors prepared many interesting lectures, workshops and meetings, touching on literacy problems among children and youth and bibliotherapy.

As is tradition, during the Poznań Trade Fairs Meeting the Little Pegasus awards were handed-out. This year the beautiful statuette went into the hands of poet Joanna Kulmowa (CHILDREN'S BOOKS AUTHOR category) and the creator of the TVP1 program "Moliki książkowe" Małgorzata Berwid (FRIEND OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS category).

Two competitions were also held for young readers: "My non-compulsory reading" and "Illustrations for my non-compulsory reading".

As usual, the Poznań Trade Fair Meetings was accompanied by the Illustrators Exhibition, which presented the works of over forty artists. An exhibition in the Masters of Illustration series took place in the PROFIL Gallery at the ZAMEK Cultural Centre. The central figure of this year's show was Maria Ekier.

Books for Children and Young People - 8th Poznań Trade Fair Meetings was under the honourable patronage of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, Ministry of National Education and the Mayor of Poznań.

We invite you to the 14th Education Fair, which will take place 19-21 February 2010.