Date of event: May 9, 2025.
Location: CRTA Laboratory – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture Zagreb
This year's Science Festival was held under the theme Networks and gathered participants at even 42 locations across Croatia, thus confirming itself as the largest national manifestation of science popularization. From May 5 to 10, 2025, cities, educational and scientific institutions opened their doors to citizens, pupils and students, providing them with an insight into the world of science and technology.
The Croatian Science Festival has been held continuously since 2003, with the aim of bringing science closer to the general public in an accessible and interesting way. Through lectures, workshops, exhibitions and interactive programs, citizens have the opportunity to learn about scientific processes, activities and results that change everyday life. It is not only science that is promoted – it also promotes curiosity, critical thinking and the desire to learn at all ages. It is precisely this innate curiosity, which we develop since childhood, that is the foundation of all scientific thought.
In that spirit, CRTA (Regional Center of Excellence for Robotic Technologies) at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture in Zagreb This year, the laboratory joined the Science Festival by opening its doors to the general public. On May 9, 2025, the laboratory was visited by high school students, graduates, teachers, and all the curious who wanted to get to know the world better. mechatronics and robotics, one of the most dynamic and fastest growing areas of modern technology.
What could our visitors experience?
During guided tours, visitors had the opportunity to experience the daily work and atmosphere of CRTA. Through presentations and conversations with teachers and students, they learned what it's like to study at the university. Mechatronicsyes and roboticsyes, what the combination of theoretical and practical teaching looks like, and how modern technologies are applied in the educational process.
Ours aroused particular interest practicums – specialized classrooms and laboratories where students work on specific tasks and projects every day. Visitors were able to see up close industrial robot arms, mobile robots, sensor systems, as well as complex automated processes which students build and program during their studies. The demonstrations were interactive, with the opportunity to ask questions, which allowed for a deeper understanding of the technology and its application to real-world engineering challenges.
Student projects: from idea to implementation
One of the key parts of the tour was dedicated to final and diploma theses students. The exhibition section presented projects covering a wide range of topics – from automated monitoring and control systems to advanced robotic platforms and IoT solutions.
These projects demonstrated not only the technical rigor, but also the creativity, innovation, and readiness of students to face real-world challenges. Visitors were able to see the concrete results of years of education and work, and understand how far one can go when dedication, knowledge, and quality mentoring support come together.
Open Day at CRTA once again confirmed the importance of such initiatives in connecting science, education and community. We successfully presented our work, shared knowledge and inspired new generations to choose a career in the field of technology, engineering and science.
We would like to thank all visitors for coming, for their interest and for their questions. Your curiosity and enthusiasm are the greatest motivation for our further work.
We look forward to future meetings, collaborations and – new generations. future mechatronics and roboticists!
The project was co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund
The website was co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund.
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