Next edition: 4-6 March 2011
Record Setting Education Fair in Poznan
Walking robots, lie detecting, crescent roll baking, trampoline jumping, and dancing on a stage - exhibitors at the 14th Education Fair, which took place during 19-21 February in Poznan, competed for the attention of the almost 40 thousand visitors in the most elaborate of ways.
Students will soon be choosing schools and universities, and the Education Fair was the first step in making their life decision. Helpful to this year's secondary school graduates were the many booth of higher education schools. Among them very great interest were enjoyed by international universities from such countries as Great Britain, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Polish young people are becoming more and more interested in studies abroad.
During the three-day fair in the largest hall at the Poznan International Fair, the booths of over 450 exhibitors were surrounded by crowds. Young people came to the fair from Poznan, the Greater Poland Voivodeship and neighbouring voivodeships.
The fair's interactive formula
Year after year at the Education Fair there are fewer brochures and more interactive activities, which visitors very eagerly take part in. Mixing chemical reagents and taking part in experiments is also much more interesting than reading information about a specific university major on the Internet. At this year's Education Fair exhibitors brought with them that which, for a given school or university, is the most interesting from the point of view of candidates.
A hit was the lie detector presented by the Faculty of Social Sciences of the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan. A furore was also caused by the trampoline jumping show performed by students of the Academy of Physical Education in Poznan, while the Medical Vocational School offered massages. Students from the Poznan University of Technology showed off technical innovations such as an unmanned airplane and walking robots. At the fair one could also have their make-up and hair done by students from hair and cosmetics schools, or take part in an accelerated pre-medical first aid course.
During the Education Fair pupils in the last class of secondary school could take advantage of a unique opportunity to ask representatives from the Regional Examination Board in Poznan questions about this year's final examinations (matura).
Education for adults
Presented in a special EDUCATION FOR ADULTS ZONE were offers for those who have their school studies behind them. Besides complementary technical schools, adult secondary schools, schools offering post-graduate studies, and companies that organize courses, shows and workshops took place. Under the project "Continuing Education as a World-wide standard for the mastery of every occupation", conducted by the Teacher Training Centre in Poznan, a conference took place that was dedicated to adult continuing education. At twelve consulting points visitors could receive personal advice.
Attended by teachers were the many training seminars held during the fair. Almost a thousand people listened to lectures conducted by the Deputy Minister of Education Krystyna Szumilas on the topic of new program fundamentals.
Innovative School
Right beside the school and university booths was a zone called the School Equipment Show, which was explored by school directors and teachers, aware of the fact that students and their parents are more and more often guided by a school's equipment when evaluating and eventually choosing.
37 companies presented at the School Equipment Show, which exhibited teaching materials, and school accessories, as well as equipment for lecture halls, laboratories and, gyms.
This year's School Equipment Show was exceptionally interesting as regards the exhibition of modern equipment in action. In the MODEL CLASSROOM for classes 1-3, fully equipped by exhibitors, lectures were held during the entire fair. The kids were at home among fabulously coloured furniture and had no problems using their handy netbooks and screens instead of blackboards. In the MODEL LANGUAGE WORKSHOP foreign language lecturers could together with students try out modern teaching aids.
Erected on the grounds of the School Equipment Show was also a playing field with an artificial surface, which students from the Academy of Physical Education used to conduct recreational activities and team games.
Books for Children and Young People
Taking place concurrently in the same pavilion was the Books for Children and Young People fair. At this fair dedicated to the youngest readers - the only one of its kind in Poland - one could meet authors, illustrators, and publishers, as well as add new titles to one's home library. Waiting for children were many attractions - workshops, games, performances, book readings by famous adults and, above all, an exhibition of the works of the world renowned master of illustration and sculpting, Józef Wilkoń.
The Education Fair is a joint initiative between the Marshal Office of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, Teacher Training Centre in Poznan and the Poznan International Fair. Its next jubilee, the 15th edition, will take place during 4-6 March 2011.
