Promising environment

How will engineering and technical centres, established in every district of Belarus, develop in schools?

Engineering education today is a major aspect of the global economy. The education system in Belarus is increasingly adopting an approach to education aimed at fostering engineering mindset among schoolchildren and involving them in sci-tech creativity. A new educational environment is emerging in schools: 167 engineering and technical centres — not to be confused with engineering classes! — are already operational. The equipment is impressive: 3D printers, robotic platforms, and sets for circuit design and microelectronics. This is not about traditional robotics courses, but rather a fundamental study of the exact sciences using the most advanced equipment. All of this is free of charge. The project aims to prepare a new generation of engineers who will work in the real sector of the country’s economy.

Agniya Shigina, a student of the engineering and technical class at Minsk secondary school No. 225

Taking the first step 

Agniya Shigina, a student at Minsk school No. 225, is only in the sixth grade but is already showing great promise. She has become the youngest winner in a research competition by creating, together with her classmate, a delivery robot. In the future, the girl dreams of building a robotic assistant that would make her mother’s life easier — one that could both make pancakes and vacuum the house. Agniya is also interested in the topic of emotional machines. It is no coincidence that her future invention will be not only hardworking but also kind, responsive, and caring. The schoolgirl began her journey towards her dream at an engineering and technical centre, where she attends an elective.  
The classes that the students attend resemble mini technical laboratories. The curriculum is extensive and focused on acquiring practical skills — from creating computer games and mobile applications to designing robots and solving complex engineering problems. Today, technology has permeated every sphere. Even if a student chooses a different path in the future, they will undoubtedly be able to apply this knowledge.

Yaroslav Selitsky and Yegor Skiland, students at secondary school No. 225 in Minsk

From simple to complex  

Even first-graders can participate in activities at the centres — training begins with visual programming, then children gradually learn to solve engineering problems, as explained by computer science teacher Yuliya Kukhto,  

“At the initial stage, they create a robot vacuum cleaner and a security robot — these are simple projects. Later, they move on to programming smart home systems. Older students can be shown how processes are organised in real production environments, and taught to work with current engineering software. Additionally, the students model visual educational materials for various subjects on computers: geometric shapes for mathematics, DNA chains for biology, and architectural models for history.”  

The school headteacher, Tatiana Kachan, added that the engineering and technical centre offers classes not only in computer science; teachers of chemistry, physics, and biology also work there, “This results in both a practice-oriented approach to learning and an interdisciplinary one. We organise elective classes and interest-based groups. The doors of the engineering and technical centres are open to students from our school and those from other educational institutions.” 

Strong educators, impressive content

Engineering and technical centres have been established in every region of Belarus to ensure that all children have the opportunity to practise, as noted by Veronika Gameza, the head of the organisational and methodological support sector for engineering and technical centres at the National Children’s Technopark. Methodological recommendations have been developed, and over 90 educators across the country have completed a two-year retraining course at the Academy of Education. Typically, these are teachers in mathematics and computer science with a solid foundation and necessary competencies.  
According to Veronika Gameza, a roadmap has been signed, clearly outlining the priority areas, 

“Our task is to develop engineering competencies in children, to popularise a profession that is rewarding both materially and in terms of potential development and career growth. The demand for engineers is only increasing. At the centres, students will be able to prepare for research competitions, develop their own technical projects, and even make small discoveries. Thanks to the creation of a new educational environment, we will be able to identify gifted children at an early stage and direct them towards education in the children’s technopark. These young individuals are already potential graduates of our technical universities.”

Students of the engineering and technical class at Minsk secondary school No. 225

By Taisiya Azanovich 

Photos by Aleksandr Gorbash