The 24th Beskid Festival of Science and Art (BFNiS), which took place from May 26 to June 2, 2024, ended with great success.

We would like to thank all the staff of WBMiI and the students who were involved in organizing and managing this event!

Thank you!

BFNiS gathered numerous participants from the region as well as from other parts of Poland, attracting their attention with a variety of attractions and a rich program. Two Science Picnics were organized:

• On May 26 in Żywiec in the "Between the Castles" Park, there were science shows, workshops, presentations of new technologies, robot fights, and artistic performances. Participants could admire an exhibition of graphics and paintings by Professor Ernest Zawada and listen to highlander music,
• On June 2 in Bielsko-Biała in J. Słowacki Park, there was an outdoor planetarium, chemical shows, workshops, and meetings with scientists. The event concluded with a performance by the Regional Ensemble "Mały Koniaków".

Both in Bielsko-Biała and Żywiec, students and lecturers from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Bielsko-Biała showcased a range of innovative projects and modern technologies. Their presentations included both scientific demonstrations and interactive workshops, which were very popular among participants. The presentations featured, among other things:

• robotic workstations, industrial robots, and mobile robots,
• participants could watch robot fight demonstrations, showcasing the capabilities of modern technologies in the field of automation,
• 3D printers and their applications in modern industry. Participants had the opportunity to see the live process of 3D printing as well as finished prints representing prototypes of machines and mechanical parts,
• modern information technologies, including the development of mobile applications and software supporting the industry. There were also demonstrations of artificial intelligence applications in various fields, such as machine diagnostics and process automation,
• programming workshops for young people, where participants could learn the basics of coding and creating simple applications. Additionally, interactive demonstrations were conducted, allowing participants to experiment with various tools and technologies, such as educational robot kits and computer simulators,
• the use of a 3D scanner in reverse engineering and metrology.

The staff and students of WBMiI were also involved in a very responsible project, i.e. the Academy of Young Talents, which included workshops and demonstrations for children.