The first Newton Room in Poland opens in TUL's High School

The Public High School of Lodz University of Technology opened the first in Poland innovative "Pop-up Newton Room" whose concept was developed by the Norwegian non-profit foundation FIRST Scandinavia in cooperation with Boeing (photo report).

A flight simulator in the Newton Room at the TUL's High School. Photo: Jacek Szabela

The official grand opening of the Room took place on 5 November (Wednesday) at the premises of the school at 5 L. Różyckiego Street. The event was attended by representatives of the city authorities, Lodz University of Technology, FIRST Scandinavia Foundation, and Boeing company.

Professor Ireneusz Zbiciński, Vice-Rector for Science, who represented the university authorities, said: The High School of Lodz University of Technology holds a special place in my heart. It is the best school in Lodz. I would like to assure the organizers of this Newton Room that they wiil not regret their choice of a venue for the implementation of their innovative concept; whereas for the school it is another significant step in its advancement. It shows that learning science and technology is fascinating.

Boeing has been supporting daring social programs for years, especially in the field of education. The Newton Room concept provides a great opportunity to introduce innovative teaching and learning methods that stimulate students' interest in STEM. The FIRST Scandinavia Foundation is the owner and manager of the Room. Since 2000, the company has developed and implemented STEM concepts and projects for more than 500,000 children and youth.

The Newton Room is a modern classroom equipped with the latest technology designed for the aviation module, including flight simulators. It was built in cooperation with Boeing company - Tomasz Kozera, the headmaster of PLO PŁ, explained. - For three weeks, from 5 to 24 November, workshops for senior students of Łódź primary schools (VII and VIII graders) and first-grade secondary school students have been planned to be held in the Room. They will be run by a specially trained, Polish speaking educator. The task for the students will be to carry out an air rescue task. They will work in groups, do calculations, and take measurements to plan a reconnaissance flight in stationary flight simulators. 

Newton Room workshops focus on aviation issues and include elements of computer science, mathematics, and physics. During the activities, students will have the opportunity to experience an academic adventure, use modern equipment, do research, and work in a team. The organizers want the largest possible number of children and youth to have a chance to learn new knowledge and skills in an interesting and hands-on way.

10 November (Sunday) will be an open day for the staff of Lodz University of Technology and their families. The organizers will be welcoming you to the Newton Room from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

On 17 and 24 November, open days for Łódź residents will be held. The future fate and financing of this pilot project in PLO PŁ is up to the authorities of the school and the city of Łódź.

In Norway, Denmark, and Scotland, more than 40 facilities of this type have already been established. Thanks to the cooperation with Boeing, the project will be extended to other parts of Europe and the world.