FEEC Organized Girls' Summer School "Plant Wellbeing"

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication at BUT organized the first edition of the "Plant Wellbeing" summer school designed specifically for girls, which offered participants a unique combination of practical education, modern technologies, and relaxation activities during the week of August 11-15. The five-day program attracted girls aged 12-17 and became an inspirational platform for exploring the latest trends in electrical engineering and 3D printing.

Day One: Introduction and First Steps into 3D Printing

The summer school began on Monday with welcoming all participants and introducing the instructor team. After a tour of the entire university campus, both outside and inside, introductory games followed.

The afternoon program featured Denisa Bajánková from EG.D, a FEEC graduate, who described her journey into technology to the participants, showing that it's not a field forbidden to girls. Denisa reached her position as Head of Product and Service Development at EG.D through a scholarship program that this company announces annually, followed by part-time work and internship. She also introduced the activities of EG.D and E.ON companies to the girls and provided concrete examples of where we can encounter the presence and work of these companies in real life. Then the girls started designing their own flower pots in the ThinkerCad program, which were subsequently sent for printing on 3D printers. Available were printers from the Institute of Electrical Technology under the supervision of Petr Vyroubala and Robert Bayer, who provided technical support throughout the entire printing process.

Denisa Bajánková (EG.D) at Girls' Summer School. | Author: Jana Němcová

Day Two: Diving into the World of Sensors and Electronics

Tuesday's program began with a lecture by Zdeňka Fohlerová, followed by practical production of capacitive sensors on ceramic substrate in the Microelectronic Technologies Laboratory. Participants could try screen printing, firing furnace, and other modern laboratory equipment.

The afternoon featured another lecture on introduction to electronics, led by Veronika Junasová. Its goal was to explain to participants how electronics work. Subsequently, Veronika guided the girls to create their own circuit that can process the output of the manufactured capacitive sensor, so that it could be processed using the ESP32 microcontroller.

Day Three: From Yoga to Industrial Practice

Wednesday began with unconventional morning yoga led by Monika Winklerová from the Sports Activities Center (CESA). This was followed by completing the assembly of electronic boards and their first startup. Under Veronika Junasová's guidance, participants saw for the first time how the project they were gradually creating began to come alive and function.

The highlight of the day was the afternoon excursion to Honeywell company. Honeywell's Brno center is the company's largest research and development center in Europe, and participants learned more about black boxes and Honeywell's unique position in this field. The Brno experts developed the world's first certified black box that can be connected online to the ground via satellites during flight. Part of the visit also included using a flight simulator, where girls tried taking off from Brno airport. Landing showed that piloting can't be learned in one day - more than one participant discovered the magic of emergency landing on a highway.

Day Four: Programming and Practical Botany

Thursday morning was focused on programming with the goal of processing and displaying measured data on a display. To make the device comprehensive, measurement of ambient temperature and humidity was also added. For programming, we used the Arduino platform with ESP processor extensions so that participants could continue expanding their smart flower pot in the future.

The afternoon brought a surprising combination of technologies and nature - completing projects and planting flowers in previously designed and printed flower pots. This activity was led by Jana Drbohlavová, connecting the entire cycle from design through production to practical use.

Day Five: Scientific Observation and Results Presentation

The last day began again with morning yoga, this time with Pavla Vítová (CESA). This was followed by an excursion to the prestigious scientific center CEITEC, where participants were guided by Radim Hrdý. The girls toured the so-called clean rooms and saw what a modern research institution looks like.

The summer school culminated in completing the microelectronics connection or possibly adjusting flower pots for proper sensor integration, resulting in a functional meter installed in self-designed and printed flower pots.

Conclusion

During the summer school, we tried to connect various fields - from 3D modeling and printing through electronics and programming to botany. Participants took away not only new theoretical knowledge and practical skills but also an original product - a functional sensor in a self-made flower pot.

We believe that the week-long program combining lectures, practical workshops, excursions, and relaxation activities created an atmosphere supporting both learning and forming new friendships. We conclude this from feedback collected from both girls and parents.

Acknowledgements
The success of the Plant Wellbeing summer school was achieved thanks to the main event organizer Pavel Šteffan and all instructors from the Institute of Microelectronics, especially Veronika Junasová, Zdeňka Fohlerová, Jana Drbohlavová, Pavel Tomíček, and Alexander Otáhal, who with their enthusiasm and expertise created an unforgettable educational experience for all participants. We also thank student Karolína Šteffanová for excellent guidance throughout all five days, Monika Winklerová and Pavla Vítová from CESA for leading morning yoga, the Institute of Electrical Technology, specifically Petr Vyroubala and Robert Bayer for help with 3D printing, and Radim Hrdý from CEITEC for the excursion. We also thank our summer school partner, EG.D company (E.ON) and Honeywell company.

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