The year 2025 marked a significant change for the Futurova project at the World of Technology. Thanks to the support of the statutory city of Ostrava, we were able to continue our long-term work with talented children and create an environment where they can develop their skills and self-confidence. We focused on systematic care, individual approach, and close cooperation with educators and parents. Above all, it was about the children, their curiosity, and their desire to explore the world in greater depth.
The biggest change of 2025 was the transformation of the original Aktana Club into the new Paths to the Academy, which we launched in September. The program is designed for children aged 3 to 15 years and has become their gateway to robotics, programming, 3D printing, creativity, and research activities. It is based on experimentation and the joy of discovery. Children solve tasks in their own way and strengthen their logical and critical thinking. The program is attended by 50 children and we can say that it has become a preparatory course for the Academy for Talented and Gifted Children. The club also included summer day camps. Five days full of robotics, experiments, 3D printing, creativity, crafting, and shared challenges allowed children to continue exploring even during the holidays and to form new friendships.
The team at the World of Technology organized a number of accompanying events throughout the year. These included the Living Library of Professions for 7th and 8th grade primary school students and the popular Night of Scientists, during which visitors explored the World of Technology after regular opening hours. The aim of our accompanying programs is to connect children, the public, and experts and to show that science can be accessible to everyone.
We did not forget about teachers either. As part of Futurova, we prepared seminars for educators focused on modern technologies and creative teaching methods. A great success was the seminar on satellite imaging with Jan Spratek from ESERO Czech Republic. Through these activities with teachers, we aim to connect formal and informal education and support gifted children directly in schools. Our team also developed. Participation in the international Ecsite 2025 conference in Warsaw and the CzechSite meeting brought us new experiences and inspiration for further work.
In September, we opened the inaugural year of the Academy for Talented and Gifted Children. The Academy is based on long-term project work and the development of technical and creative thinking. Children work throughout the year on creating an animated film. There are three types of weeks – informational, research, and creative. We collaborate with professionals, for example from Krutart or Czech Television. The output will be films screened at the cinema of the World of Technology and defended before a professional jury. 15 children attend the Academy and from 2026 it will be part of the Futurova project itself.
We also continued preparing the new exhibition Smart City, which will show children how technology influences life around us. We modernized classrooms, laboratories, and workshops to create a space where young people can work with modern technology in an inspiring environment.
The year 2025 showed that children can achieve incredible things if they are given time, support, and a safe space for creation. Futurova helped them to transcend the boundaries of ordinary education. Some children found a new hobby, others perhaps a future profession. And all confirmed that Ostrava is a city that values the talent of its children and wants to further develop it.
We thank everyone who helps us create a future where talent can grow.
