Dionýz Ilkovič Award for another three outstanding pedagogues

The winner is “Kony” from Žilina

The winner of the second year of the Dionýz Ilkovič Award, Ľubomír Konrád, teaches physics at the same gymnasium in Žilina, in the same classroom, where he himself started three decades ago. He devotes much of his spare time to students in the club, where he prepares them for various physics competitions. Over the past 10 years he has helped them to win several medals from the International Physics Olympiad and the European Olympiad; three times they were members of the Slovak team that participated in the international round of the Experimental Physics Olympiad.

But, as he confesses, it’s not always easy, “You have to know how to motivate yourself and convince yourself that it’s worth it. The beginning is difficult – you can’t see the work done, or any positives. But that comes with time. It’s enough that, after a couple of years, former pupils start to show up to thank you, they remember you, that’s nice.”

There are many of those who remember him. “He’s a modest and humble man. He has tremendous knowledge not only of physics but also of history, he’s well informed, he’s travelled a lot, he has great experience, and, especially, he is a very selfless man. He always helps me and is willing to spend time with me,” Mária Polačková, who is preparing for admissions at Harvard University where she wants to study physics, praises her teacher. She’s joined by the headmistress of the school, Adriana Randíková, who describes “Kony” not only as an extraordinary pedagogue but also person: “He’s a great expert, but first of all he is a man with a big heart who can find his way to anyone. He tries to find the good in people, and that’s what he teaches his students – in addition to physics.”

The great human dimension also dominates in other stories

The ladies, teacher Jana Plichtová from the Gymnasium at Alejová Street 1 in Košice, and teacher Iveta Štefančínová from the Gymnasium of Ján Adam Rayman in Prešov, also received the Dionýz Ilkovič Award for participating in the finals for their contribution to the development of extracurricular activities. This is not just about professional knowledge but about the all-round development of the personality of young people that the jury saw behind their work.

Mrs. Plichtová, who teaches computer science at the Košice Gymnasium, says it herself: “I want to teach students how to deal with obstacles without help.” She has been teaching since 1994. Initially, they refused to admit her to pedagogic studies due to her political opinions. But the place behind the teacher’s desk awaited her anyway. From the beginning, she has been leading computer clubs and preparing children for competitions. Her pupils have succeeded in entering the biggest international competitions on multiple occasions. Jana Plichtová remembers Atlanta, Lisbon, Eindhoven, but especially Mexico City, from where they returned with a title.

Patrik Rusnák, who has been pursuing robotics for 5 years and has already won several important European-level competitions with his team, recalls: “Professor helps us with almost everything. She loves technology and she can also see that we enjoy it and that we want to create something. That’s why she’s there with us and wants us to develop further, and to love it like she does.” Deputy of the Košice Gymnasium, Beáta Vavrinčíková, adds another dimension to the work of Mrs. Plichtová: “Robotics competitions are not just about the amount of time but also about the finances and I very much appreciate the fact that Mrs. Plichtová submits projects each year, requests grants, contacts sponsors – especially IT companies – and, thanks to this, children can travel also to the international rounds of these competitions. She is well-versed in programming, but she rather directs the pupils and leaves them to create by themselves. She is also able to unite the team, because robotics is primarily about teamwork.”

The third finalist, Mrs. Iveta Štefančínová teaches physics to Gymnasium students in Prešov. She’s like from a book of motivational quotes. She’s the person that these quotes want to make from you. In the most positive sense of the word. She has been teaching since 2000 and has been involved in many extracurricular activities since the beginning. Her enthusiasm is contagious: “If I didn’t enjoy it, I wouldn’t have been able to teach for so long. I am delighted that I am surrounded by young intelligent people, I enjoy physics, I enjoy the pupils.” She is rightfully proud of her students. They are able to reach high placements in the most prestigious international competitions. She argues that it’s important for students to know their qualities: “In the past we used to hear that everyone else is smart and talented except us. I am trying to convince my pupils that this is not true,” says Iveta Štefančínová.

Her words are proven correct by her former pupil Samuel Novák, who studies at the University of Edinburgh, which is one of the top 5 European schools. “She always supported us and tried to make us understand what we were doing. During classes as well as in the club. I would like to thank her mainly for the years she devoted herself to me, and for her willingness to stay with us for a long time in school in order to be well-prepared.” School headmistress Viera Kundľová only confirms: “She works very creatively with pupils, she enjoys responding to their inquisitive questions.  I think she provokes and satisfies their interest with her approach, encourages work with talented pupils, engages them in various competitions, and they often finish at an international level. She is literally a collector of successes and various awards.”

Successful second year

In the second year of the Dionýz Ilkovič Award, organized by the Slovak IT company PosAm, 26 quality nominations were received, from which the expert jury selected three finalists and decided on the winner. Award nominations could be sent by anyone – students, their parents, or colleagues from school. The winner and finalists received prizes totalling €6,000.

The jury, among other criteria, evaluated the outcomes of extracurricular activities, their scope, or the innovative approach of the supervisor. The jury was chaired by a young Slovak scientist, the President of the international organization International Young Physicists’ Tournament, Docent Martin Plesch from the Slovak Academy of Sciences. Other members of the jury are distinguished experts from Slovak and Czech universities.

“Although we received a smaller number of nominations than in the first year, we were pleasantly surprised by their quality. It was a delight to get to know all the stories and to meet the exceptional people who devote a great deal of their free time to young talented people and help them grow,” says Docent Plesch. “I was very pleased that Minister Lubyová strongly emphasized the importance and the benefit of our efforts and that the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sports of the Slovak Republic has taken patronage over the awards,” the chairman of the jury added.

Award named after Professor Ilkovič

The award bears the name of a prominent Slovak scientist. In 1934 Dionýz Ilkovič deduced the relation between the polarography diffusion current, the concentration of the solution, and the characteristics of the dropping mercury electrode. Today it’s known as the Ilkovič Equation.  At the time he was a member of Nobel Prize winner Jaroslav Heyrovský’s team. Professor Dionýz Ilkovič was not only a prominent world-class Slovak physicist and scientist, but also a great teacher, whose style of teaching became legendary for his students and colleagues.

PosAm also contributed to the creation of the award. “Many of the teachers, but also the non-pedagogues, who are engaged in extracurricular activities at elementary and secondary schools, have dedicated their lives to the transfer of knowledge to young people because they believe that they can grow into future scientists and prominent personalities. The Dionýz Ilkovič Award was created as a thanks, a tribute, and encouragement to these people,” explains Marián Marek, General Director of the company. “I have a very good feeling that our intention is successfully coming to fruition, which I personally experienced at yesterday’s award ceremony” he added.

More information:

www.cenadi.sk , https://www.cenadi.sk/vitazi-a-finalisti/