The Hydrogen Economy Needs People. The Moravian-Silesian Hydrogen Cluster Is Starting with Primary S
40 ǀ POSITIV HYDROGEN
VODÍK
The Hydrogen Economy Needs People.
The Moravian-Silesian
Hydrogen Cluster Is Starng
with Primary Schools
There is no shortage of new technologies. The much more dicult queson is who will be working
with them in ten or een years’ me. According to the Moravian-Silesian Hydrogen Cluster,
educaon is therefore an essenal part of ensuring that the hydrogen economy can funcon.
The cluster is consequently preparing a strategic framework for the educaon system, including
a range of specic measures.
Even before the framework is approved and put into pracce, however, the rst concrete projects
are already taking shape. These include Hydrogen Cars in Schools and Hydrogen Hero, which
introduce primary school pupils to the topic of hydrogen.
Who Will Operate the New Technologies?
The Moravian-Silesian Hydrogen Cluster has
established a working group on Education in Hydrogen
Technologies, bringing together schools, companies,
public authorities and other institutions. Its aim
is to develop a strategic framework for education
in this field.
The cluster recognises that industry will need
not only narrowly focused ‘hydrogen specialists’,
but also technically versatile people with knowledge
of electrical engineering, energy, chemistry, safety
and technical documentation.
It is also important to consider when to start engaging
with future technicians. By Year 9, many pupils already
have at least a general idea of what they want to study
next. Attention is therefore turning to younger pupils
at lower secondary level.
Centres of Excellence are also intended to be one
of the key measures within the strategic framework
currently being prepared. Alongside this longer-term
approach, however, specific projects are already
being developed that allow schools to gain hands-on
experience with hydrogen technologies.
Hydrogen Cars are Heading to Eleven Schools
In the 2026/2027 school year, the Hydrogen Cars
in Schools pilot project, organised by the Moravian-
Silesian Hydrogen Cluster and the Science
and Technology Centre, will be launched. Eleven
primary schools from different parts of the region
will take part. Each will receive an educational kit
containing six hydrogen-powered model cars.
The schools will work with the models according
to their individual circumstances. In some schools, they
will become part of regular lessons, while in others they
will be used in technical or science clubs. Pupils will
experiment, explore different technical solutions and,
at the end of the project, put their models to the test
in a joint regional competition.
A Model Car as a Mini Laboratory
The project builds on the experience of the international
Horizon Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP) educational
programme, in which students work with model cars
powered by hydrogen fuel cells and then put their
designs to the test in races.
TATRA TRUCKS and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing
Czech are participating in the project as financial
partners. Pupils will meet representatives
from both companies during the regional round
of the competition, and those interested will also
have the opportunity to visit the companies’ facilities
towards the end of the school year.
The project will also include ‘technical speed
dating’, giving children the opportunity to meet
other industry professionals, including experts
from the cluster’s member companies. They will
be able to ask them about different professions,
the practical applications of hydrogen and the options
available for their future career paths.
Science and Technology Centre: Technology Needs
to be Experienced
The Science and Technology Centre in Dolní Vítkovice
is a co-creator of the project and is also providing
the educational kits that the schools will work with.
One of the first activities that all participating schools
will take part in will be the Hydrogen – Phenomenon
| Text: Monika Ševčíková, foto: Dolní oblast VÍTKOVICE, z.s.