Innovations and creativity of students and education workers are presented at an exhibition in Vitebsk
A huge number of nominations – from electronics and mechanical engineering to art objects and garden and park design – allows for a broad representation of the intellectual, creative, and innovative potential of the student youth and educators of the Pridvinye region. All participants strive to show their best, impress the jury and each other with their skill level and creative approaches. This year's exhibition has also turned out to be large-scale and multifaceted. It includes items made of willow, metal, fabric and leather, ceramics in a modern interpretation, wood sculpture and furniture, building models, working devices, and much more.
Vyacheslav Durnov, Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, who visited the exhibition, noted that the number of incredible ideas brought to life is impressive.
— There are many creative people in our education system, — he emphasized. — And it is important that this creativity is passed on by teachers to students, to children. The ideas presented here are, of course, phenomenal. It would be even better if this later turned into production. And it will happen, because the guys who are studying now will in the future produce all the material wealth for our country and its inhabitants.
One of the features of the current exhibition is the thematic table setting prepared by the Vitebsk State Industrial College: "Our Memory" and "Quality Education for the Year of Quality". And the Polotsk State Chemical-Technological College brought, perhaps, the most delicious exhibition. It features a gingerbread samovar with a tea set, a marshmallow bouquet, and hand-painted pictures on chocolate.
Technical innovations also arouse interest. For example, a robot glass polisher, which can be useful in a waiter's work, or a "Smart Thermometer" device capable of obtaining weather information from various servers and vocalizing this data.
Some educational institutions participate in dozens of nominations at once, and they are completely diverse. For example, the Vitebsk State College of Light Industry and Technology submitted eight exhibits to the technical creativity exhibition (a diorama "Checkpoint" on a military theme, an interactive stand, electronic educational resources, etc.), and at the same time, the institution prepared an impressive and unprecedentedly large exhibition of artistic orientation – it consisted of 18 collections. The main materials for the latter were leather and wood, surprising with unexpected combinations, intricate processing, or color and compositional solutions. For example, the "Belarusi Padvarak" collection of bags and dolls, based on national motifs, was displayed in a stylized cart against the backdrop of the "Tree of Life" with unusually decorated birdhouses. When creating the "Ecоstyle" series, the college focused on combining leather with linen and new methods of assembling blanks. And the shoes, cosmetic bags, and bags of the "Jewelry Traditions" collection are noteworthy for being made in gold and silver tones. Next to carved wooden panels is a picture in the Japanese technique "Kintsugi" – however, the craftswoman replaced fabric scraps with leather. And the carriage-bar with pumpkins and sculptural images of mice seems to have come from the pages of the Cinderella fairy tale.
The Vitebsk State Technical College also showcases its multifaceted achievements. They have prepared 28 exhibits for the art and decorative-applied arts exhibition and 33 in the field of technical creativity. Among the former, one cannot fail to mention the collection of paintings executed in various techniques, and impressive art objects made of metal, often combining both aesthetic and practical value. Baba Yaga's hut, for example, is a barbecue and smoker. And the steampunk-style chess pieces made from auto components can be used to play a game on the table with a metal base that comes with them.
However, the strongest aspect of this college is still considered to be technical. Much interesting material has also been prepared for the current exhibition: detailed models of Mir Castle and St. Anthony's Church, a levitating lamp, a compact sound notification device capable of emitting a very loud, sharp sound and intended for scaring away animals.
A useful development is a bracelet for the visually impaired. The included sensors can be attached to any surface and programmed accordingly. As a result, the bracelet, when approaching them, will warn its owner about what is nearby – a mug, a door, or a refrigerator, explained college director Alexander Losyakin. Another unusual exhibit is the "Mechta-1" transformer chair, which will be useful in a workshop. It is small but very functional. This item can be used as a rolling chair, a cart for moving goods, a rolling bed, and a low chair-cart with a pull-out shelf for tools. A voltmeter, a massage cushion, a power supply unit, and a light source are built inside, and the upholstery is made of anti-vandal material. This is truly not just furniture, but any craftsman's dream!
It is impossible to list all the wonders of the exhibition; the best thing is to see it all with your own eyes. You can do this on weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM, and on Saturdays from 9 AM to 2 PM.