Four third-year students from the Academician Heyrovský Secondary Technical School of Chemistry in Ostrava completed a month-long professional placement at the CEET Nanotechnology Centre. The experimental results and practical experience gained will serve as a valuable foundation for their upcoming final school-leaving projects.
Over the course of four weeks, the interns gained hands-on experience in state-of-the-art laboratories and caught a glimpse into the world of applied research. Professional guidance was provided throughout by colleagues Gražyna Simha Martynková, Tomáš Malina, Ladislav Svoboda, and Jan Schäfer.
The research projects they undertook went far beyond routine laboratory exercises. Each student worked on topics with genuine relevance to industrial practice, human health and environmental protection.
Ella Stenzelová focused on the preparation of orthophosphate ceramics and their subsequent characterisation using a range of analytical techniques. The data she collected will help her gain a deeper understanding of the properties of the prepared materials.
Tomáš Kraina investigated the toxicity of materials used in 3D printing by testing their effects on cultured mouse cells. He prepared extracts from the selected samples, applied them to cell cultures, and used microscopic techniques to closely monitor the cellular response, paying particular attention to changes in cell morphology and overall viability.
Tereza Brodová explored the use of electron microscopy for materials analysis, focusing on dietary supplements. Her aim was to verify whether the actual composition of these products corresponded to the information declared by manufacturers on the packaging.
Karolína Kallusová concentrated on environmental protection and water treatment, testing photoreactive materials designed to degrade antibiotics. During her placement, she investigated their specific properties and evaluated their effectiveness in removing pharmaceutical residues from the environment.
"Collaboration with secondary schools holds great significance for our research team. Students don't just come here to observe passively; they actively participate in research. This gives them the opportunity to work with methods and equipment they wouldn't normally encounter in standard classes. The students from the Akademik Heyrovský Secondary Industrial School did a fantastic job and demonstrated a high degree of independence. I am confident that the experience and results they take away from this placement will not only serve them well in writing their final projects, but will also act as a stepping stone for their further studies," said Gražyna Simha Martynková, Director of the Nanotechnology Centre.
Professional placements for secondary school students represent a vital component of CEET’s partnership with local schools. They give young people the opportunity to experience a real scientific research environment, become familiar with contemporary research methods, and gain practical experience that will support not only their final school projects but also their future university studies and professional careers.