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Koła Naukowe UŁ docenione za innowacyjność

The University of Lodz has received funding for two innovative projects for the first time in the history of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education programme "Student science clubs create innovations". The projects will not only enrich the university's teaching and research offer, but also have the potential for commercialisation.

An innovative approach to developing children's creativity

The first project, entitled "Opracowanie, zastosowanie i komercjalizacja innowacyjnych materiałów dydaktycznych do rozwijania dziecięcego myślenia twórczego i refleksyjnego" [Development, application and commercialisation of innovative didactic materials for developing children's creative and reflective thinking], was created on the initiative of the Student Science Club "ACoTo?", operating at the Department of Childhood Pedagogy at the Faculty of Educational Sciences. The main goal of the project is to create a new didactic tool - a set of basic pictures in A4 format, which will be enriched with additional reusable stickers. These materials are to support the development of creative, reflective thinking and verbal expression of children in preschool and early school age.

The innovative nature of the project allows for multiple use of the images by teachers, parents, educators and trainers, which can become an inspiration for future solutions in education. The project received funding in the amount of PLN 45,374, and its implementation is planned for a period of 12 months – from 2025 to 2026.

 

Advanced Mosquito Research – Key to Public Health Protection

The second project, entitled "Opracowanie strategii monitoringu populacji komarów jako wektorów chorób wirusowych w ekosystemach miejskich Polski z wykorzystaniem zaawansowanych technik molekularnych" [Development of a strategy for monitoring mosquito populations as vectors of viral diseases in urban ecosystems in Poland using advanced molecular techniques], has been carried out by the Science Club of Biology Students (Section of Invertebrate Zoology, operating at the Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology). In the face of the growing epidemic threat caused by invasive mosquito species, such as Aedes japonicus or Aedes albopictus, the project will develop an effective monitoring strategy. Modern methods of next-generation sequencing and molecular techniques will be used to detect viruses transmitted by these insects.

The research will be conducted in four provincial cities – Lodz, Wrocław, Kraków and Warsaw – using specially prepared traps that use light and carbon dioxide as attractants. The results of this research are not only of scientific importance, but can also contribute to the development of better public health protection strategies. The project received funding in the amount of PLN 69,935, and its implementation is also planned for a period of 12 months (2025–2026).

 

A programme that supports the innovation of scientific clubs

The programme "Student science clubs create innovations" aims to support young scientists in conducting research and development work that not only broadens scientific horizons, but also enables the transfer of technology to the economic sphere. Participants of the programme gain the opportunity to acquire soft skills, such as the ability to work in teams, create public speeches and knowledge in the field of commercialisation of research.