During this year’s celebrations of the National Materials Engineering Day 2026, we had the honor of hosting students from Gliwice, representing Primary School with Integration Classes No. 1 and Primary School with Integration Classes No. 10. The students actively participated in a carefully prepared program, and from the very first moments, the event was filled with the unique atmosphere of a place where science harmoniously intersects with modern technology and has a tangible impact on technological development.
The official opening was opened by Hanna Purzyńska, DEng, Director of the Materials Research Center at Łukasiewicz – GIT, who welcomed the guests and introduced them to the purpose of the event. One of the highlights was an inspiring lecture by Dr. Adam Gryc, titled “How to Charge a Smartphone in a Rocket? Materials Without Which There Would Be No Electricity in Space.” In an accessible yet highly illustrative manner, Gryc, DEng demonstrated the crucial role of materials engineering in the most advanced areas of technology, with a special focus on the space sector.
Following the lecture, participants took part in the main attraction of the day – an attempt to break the Polish record for “Most Origami Rockets Folded in 4 Hours.” The task was successfully completed well before the deadline, providing an exciting demonstration of learning through hands-on experience, teamwork, creativity, and manual skills.
An essential part of the visit was also the tour of our laboratories, where students had the opportunity to see scientists and engineers at work and to explore specialized research equipment. They visited four of the five research groups operating within the Materials Research Center.
Representatives of the Materials for Power Enngineering Research Group – Michał Szulc, Beng, MSc, Adam Reichel,MSc, Roman Komarnicki, and Dominik Boho – introduced the students to methods for analyzing the internal structure of materials and detecting defects, using both destructive tests and modern non-destructive techniques, such as ultrasonics and magnetic-powder methods.
Meanwhile, the Analytical Chemistry Research Group – Michał Kubecki, DEng, Marta Kubiczek, DEng, Aleksandra Latacz, BEng, MSc and Piotr Knapik, BEng, MSc – presented a wide range of applications of chemical analyses across different industrial sectors, highlighting their importance for product quality and safety.
Students also had the chance to explore the work of the Investigations of Properties and Structure of Materials Research Group, where Radosław Rozmus, DEng, Karol Sówka, DEng, Witosław Kubosz, BEng, MSc and Agnieszka Sasiela, BEng, MSc, demonstrated microscopic and destructive testing methods. A particular highlight was the opportunity to see the ultrahigh-resolution TITAN 80–300 scanning-transmission electron microscope.
An additional attraction was the visit to the Process Simulation Research Group, where Marcin Kempny, BEng, MSc, invited students to participate in an engaging and unusual activity in a UV photo booth, combining science with fun.
The visit to our institute was not only an opportunity to broaden knowledge but also an inspiration for further growth and exploration of the fascinating world of science. We are delighted to have contributed to inspiring the next generation of engineers and researchers. We sincerely thank all participants for their presence, active engagement, and the many words of appreciation directed toward our team of dedicated, ambitious, and passionate scientists.
