For most of the students of Gymnázium Františka Živného (František Živný Secondary General School) from Bohumín, the field trip was their first encounter with a real manufacturing company. That is why we wanted it to be a real experience for them, not just "another school field trip". What was our objective? To show that chemistry is not just about tables and formulas in school. To convey the vision that chemistry is a field that has a future. That the world of chemistry or, more precisely, electrochemistry, is a real world full of innovation and possibilities.
We started with an engaging video we created for our company's 120th anniversary last year. So we introduced Bochemie to them with a tool that their generation loves. And it was not just about facts, but also about key moments in the history of our country and region that have influenced where we stand today and that have shaped the development of the company. We treated them to one additional video - safety instructions for the stay within our premises. And then all they had to was to get our personal protective equipment, take selfies, immediately post them on social media, and we could start on the promised tour of the production facility.
And that is where the real magic began. Or chemistry? The students had the opportunity to see the process of manufacturing industrial Ni-Cd batteries from the very beginning - from chemistry to almost the final product. We also showed them the production of chemical specialties, focusing mainly on chlorine chemistry. And yes, also the line producing bottles of Savo for our contractual partner. Although the machine for wrapping finished pallets probably received much more admiration…
Our guides actively involved the students - it was not just a passive lecture, but rather a dialogue, questions, and food for thought. And the conclusion? A quick online, somewhat frivolous test via mobile phone, a sweet reward for the most skillful students, and for everyone our original "dobble" game with symbols from our world of electrochemistry.
And who knows, perhaps we have met a future chemist, process engineer or colleague who will be with us in a few years to write the next chapters in the story of Bochemie.
