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Brno University of Technology joined the project as the main university partner through its student teams and expert supervision. BUT students participated in the prototyping of most of this year’s inventions and helped transform children’s ideas into real technical solutions. “The desire to create, dream, and discover, together with a willingness to experiment, are the foundations of innovation. It is rewarding to see our students helping bring children’s ideas to life and turning them into functional prototypes. MyMachine represents learning through making, an approach we also promote at our technical university. I believe that introducing technology to children in a playful way can inspire them in their future studies,” said Ladislav Janíček, Rector of BUT.
“Originally, I designed a colour-changing T-shirt, but it eventually became a cap. I’m happy that I can finally try it out and that I was able to share my creativity with others,” said ten-year-old Fabián, the creator of the LED cap, which changes colour according to the wearer’s mood. Similar enthusiastic reactions filled the VIDA! Science Centre in Brno during the ceremonial finale of the pilot edition of the international MyMachine educational programme in the Czech Republic.Presentation of a Mexican walking fan. | Author: Mojžíšová photography“It all started with a simple assignment: Draw your dream invention. The children thought about what could make their everyday lives easier or what they would like to change. That is exactly what makes MyMachine so powerful – university students turned the children’s ideas into designs, and secondary school students assembled them into functional prototypes,” said Tomáš Mejzlík, Director of the VIDA! Science Centre and the JINTEK organisation.
The pilot edition of the programme involved more than 400 primary school pupils, 80 secondary school students, and nearly 40 university students from across the South Moravian Region. Secondary school students built the prototypes either in school workshops or at the open digital workshop FabLab Brno. Each team also had a mentor from industry, and throughout the year the children visited technology companies, secondary schools, and universities, gaining first-hand experience with modern technologies.BUT students present a design for a robotic lunch carrier. | Author: Mojžíšová photographyThis year’s edition produced eight original inventions inspired by ideas that could make children’s everyday lives easier or more enjoyable. In addition to the LED cap, the teams created an AI vending machine capable of preparing a personalised drink based on a customer’s emotions, and a robotic lunch carrier that delivers meals directly to the table. Another team developed a smart school bag featuring automatic textbook dispensing and a bottomless water bottle. Also unveiled were the multifunctional ASR robot, the home assistant Bobot, and a walking fan inspired by Mexican culture.
The participating students appreciate the opportunity to work across year groups and develop not only technical skills but also teamwork abilities. “I really enjoyed the overall atmosphere within the team and the feeling that I was contributing to something bigger. I had to improve my collaboration skills quite a lot, which was challenging for me. Creating my first 3D model was also difficult because I had very little prior experience,” said student Mikuláš Hrabal.
MyMachine was founded more than 20 years ago in Belgium and now operates in over 15 countries worldwide. This year marked the first time the Czech Republic participated, thanks to the VIDA! Science Centre and FabLab Brno. The project is also part of the Future Shapers initiative, which promotes young people’s interest in technical fields and modern technologies through practical experience. “The project demonstrates how important it is to support creativity, technical education, and cooperation across schools and institutions. In the South Moravian Region, we have long supported activities that connect education with the real world and help young people discover their abilities. MyMachine is an excellent example of how curiosity, initiative, and interest in technical and natural sciences can be developed from primary school onwards,” said Jan Grolich, Governor of the South Moravian Region.
The pilot edition of the programme was supported by the South Moravian Region, the City of Brno, and corporate partners, who contributed not only financially but also through industry mentors, excursions, and expert guidance for the individual teams. “It makes sense for us to support projects that show children that technology is not just theory, but a space for ideas, creativity, and collaboration. MyMachine connects schools, companies, and universities and helps young people experience that their ideas can have a real impact. Activities like these are essential for the future of innovation and technical education in Brno,” said Markéta Vaňková, Mayor of the City of Brno.Source: VIDA!