The Youth Met with Latvian Scientists and Entrepreneurs
On February 3 and 4, 2010, the project “Natural Sciences and Mathematics” organised an event for Latvian school youth “Think Different - more Exact!” The objective of the event was raising students’ interest on natural sciences and mathematics, demonstrating the possibilities of applying the knowledge acquired in the school for research activity and innovative business. Such events urge teachers to organising similar events in their schools, in order to promote collaboration between schools and entrepreneurs, having an essential effect on the quality of Latvian labour market in a long-term perspective.
Students and their teachers from 32 project support school participated in the event for two days, in order to meet Latvian scientists, visit different laboratories and companies, and to find out, what is a routine of a scientist, what skills and knowledge are required for a scientist work, how new scientific discoveries are made, and how they are used in business.
This event for school youth is unique, as for the first time it is simultaneously supported by two universities of Latvia as a collaboration partners: the University of Latvia (UL) and Riga Technical University (RTU).
The event was opened on February 3, at 10:30 A.M., at the Big Hall of the University of Latvia (UL); speeches were made by the UL Rector Dr. hab. phys., prof. Mārcis Auziņš, and Project Manager Dr. paed. Dace Namsone, on her turn, informed on the project. The opening of the event was broadcasted live in the UL portal. In his speech to the participants of the event, Rector of the UL found that “the present secondary school students may make many new discoveries in science in the future”. Thus the Rector appealed to all the youth to acquire the university education, because it would ensure more interesting life in the future.
During the classes on February 3, the participants could meet the new Latvian scientists: Kaspars Kalniņš, Līgs Grīnberga, Jānis Jaško, Jānis Jaunbergs, Jānis Ancāns, and Aivars Vembris. In the discussions the youth was looking for answers to such questions as, for example: What is a routine of a scientist? What qualities should a person have in order to become a scientist? How are scientific discoveries made? According to the new scientist of RTU, K. Kalniņš: “The big industry tells us, what is necessary, then a scientist and research engage in order to make the wish come true.” To the question of students - if I have 10 points (A + level), does it mean that I have the best knowledge in natural sciences and mathematics - L. Grīnberga, scientist of the UL Institute of Solid State Physics, replied: “Further can go such a young person, who not only has the ability of good memorising of what he/she has studied at school, but the one, who can also look wider, think beyond borders. The most important for the students is to have interest on the particular subject and understanding about where they could apply the knowledge in the future in their lives.”
Later different laboratories and research establishments were visited: the UL Laboratory of Plant Cell Biology, UL Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnologies, UL Laboratory of Cellular Biology, UL Laboratory of Atomic Spectroscopy, UL Institute of Biomedicine, UL Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, UL Laboratory of Radiation Chemistry, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, UL Institute of Solid State Physics, Riga Technical University (RTU) Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Road Transport Institute, RTU Group of Professors in Physical Medicine Engineering, and RTU Faculty Material Science and Applied Chemistry.
At the end of the first day the young people and teachers performed different creative practical duties, e.g., made presentations on what could a new innovative idea be, and where could it be useful in our everyday life.
On February 4, the students and teachers visited different companies: JSC “Grindeks”, JSC “Latvijas Finieris”, JSC “Dzintars”, “Metrum” Ltd., “SAF Tehnika”, the Botanical Garden of the UL, and “Lango” Ltd. During the visits the youth could observe the work of a contemporary company, how innovative ideas are introduced in Latvian companies, what knowledge is required for the staff; as well as to express their ideas on how each particular company could improve its work.
By the end of this study year the young people, who participated at the event, will organise events in their schools (competitions, scientific cafés, meetings with scientists and entrepreneurs, discussions, etc.), in order to discuss with the students of their schools issues of natural sciences and mathematics, educational opportunities in the field, and the scientific and business environment in Latvia.
Photo materials of the event are available at the web-site of the University of Latvia (http://foto.lu.lv/arhiivs/2010/b_feb/01/index.html) and the project website under the menu “Events for students”.