Synergy of Modern Approaches and Real-life Technologies in Education and Research in Kisvárdai Bessenyei György Gimnázium és Kollégium and Gymnázium-Gimnázium Kráľovský Chlmec

A joint project of Hungarian and Slovakian young people in the field of programming and robotics in order to step up for cross-border cooperation and improve labour-market opportunities.

Kisvárdai Bessenyei György Gimnázium és Kollégium maintained by the Educational Authority of Kisvárda and Gymnázium-Gimnázium Kráľovský Chlmec (SK) applied for the implementation of infrastructural development and activity schemes in order to promote cross-border inter-institutional cooperation that sensitize students by exchanging and sharing educational knowledge, experience and resources, orienting them towards areas of industry shortages and thus contributing to reducing skills shortages in border areas.
The European Union and the Regional Development Fund co-financed EUR 125,507 for the implementation of the SMARTER project
During the two years of work, the young people, while getting to know the use of CNC lathes, 3D printers, Lego robots, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, plotter, cutting plotter tools, awakened their curiosity, creativity in the intellectual products they create, in the manufactured parts, embodied in decorative products. During the joint work done with pleasure, they playfully got acquainted with the steps and pitfalls of research and development, so they almost unnoticed acquired skills that are so important for the industry. The afternoon leisure activities also  strengthened the young people’s willingness to cooperate, and the sense of joy caused by the teamwork activities.
The two high schools also ensured that, in addition to their own students, young students from 10 primary schools in their area also benefited from the results of the project as part of an activity called Talent incubator.
The special value of the projec is that the IT teachers of the partner schools have been enriched with competencies that ensure the long-term sustainability of the project and the transfer of the knowledge necessary for the acquisition of the most modern digital technologies to the students. The educational materials and films made during the project are widely available to others via the World Wide Web.