{"id":14514,"date":"2026-02-15T11:47:56","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T10:47:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/from-hydrogen-models-to-real-engineers-h2gp-slovakia-shows-what-hands-on-learning-should-look-like\/"},"modified":"2026-02-15T11:47:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-15T10:47:56","slug":"from-hydrogen-models-to-real-engineers-h2gp-slovakia-shows-what-hands-on-learning-should-look-like","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/from-hydrogen-models-to-real-engineers-h2gp-slovakia-shows-what-hands-on-learning-should-look-like\/","title":{"rendered":"From hydrogen models to real engineers: H2GP Slovakia shows what hands-on learning should look like"},"content":{"rendered":"

We spoke with Erika Czingel from the civic association H2GP Slovakia. She told us what really happens when teams from Slovakia and the Czech Republic meet on the track. She also explained why companies should invest in young talent<\/strong>. At the same time, she outlined what the future of technical education in Slovakia looks like<\/strong>.
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H2GP 2025 Chemnitz World Final<\/p><\/div>\n

Ko\u0161ice showed that the east has both talent and partners<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Ko\u0161ice Hydrogen Cup delivered exactly what the organizers wanted\u2014a live demonstration of how education can work. At the start line, 19 teams from Slovakia and the Czech Republic came together. They competed in three H2GP PRO racing categories: HYBRID, MODIFIED and STOCK <\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe atmosphere in the pits was exactly in the spirit of H2GP\u2014fair racing on the track and sharing know-how off it,\u201d<\/span><\/i> says Erika Czingel.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the HYBRID category, IS\u0160A Brno Hydrocar won; in MODIFIED, the Czech team Hydro PBIS; and in STOCK, Slovakia\u2019s KYSTRONIC. The event was opened by the President of the Ko\u0161ice Self-Governing Region, Rastislav Trnka, and a representative of the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade, Tom\u00e1\u0161 Hamberger. Guests from companies and schools were also present\u2014SOLARIS SLOVAKIA, Horizon Educational, and Prague British International School Director David Lawlor.
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H2GP 2025 Chemnitz World Final<\/p><\/div>\n

But the most important things happened in the pits and on the track. Students continuously measured data, fine-tuned aerodynamics, electronics and energy management, and handled quick service interventions under pressure <\/span>. \u201cThe format works like a live laboratory,\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/i> Erika explains. Visitors could also see the difference between a basic and a fine-tuned model. <\/span><\/p>\n

Another big highlight was the accompanying H2GP SPRINT.<\/strong> Pupils and students built their first 1:20 scale hydrogen car and tested it on a 10-meter track. Instant feedback from the timing system brilliantly connected theory with practice <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe event naturally connects schools, universities and companies, creating a talent pipeline for the region and a positive PR effect\u2014proof that the east has motivated teams and partners,\u201d<\/span><\/i> Erika adds.
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H2GP 2025 Chemnitz World Final<\/p><\/div>\n

Coming soon to Bratislava: 10 years of H2GP and 20 teams on the grid<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Slovakia State Final 2026 in Bratislava is just around the corner, and this year will be truly special.<\/strong> And for several reasons. <\/span>H2GP PRO is celebrating 10 years, and Slovakia has been part of it from the very beginning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have schools that have been in the program for a full decade, and it\u2019s great to see former team members now leading younger students as teachers and mentors,\u201d<\/span><\/i> Erika says enthusiastically.<\/span><\/p>\n

This year\u2019s edition will also bring a fresh breeze. Four new teams from four schools have joined, and 20 teams will line up on the track. <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s proof that the program is growing, visible across Slovakia, and raising the bar for student projects and the races themselves,\u201d<\/span><\/i> she explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, H2GP SPRINT will also be part of Bratislava. The first primary school is joining in this format too, showing that interest starts from the ground up and that SPRINT will keep expanding. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cH2 Grand Prix isn\u2019t just a competition\u2014it\u2019s hands-on learning that shows science and technology can be genuinely exciting.<\/strong> That\u2019s why schools and students shouldn\u2019t miss it,\u201d<\/span><\/i> Erika adds.
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H2GP 2025 Chemnitz World Final<\/p><\/div>\n

Hydrogen is no longer just textbook theory<\/strong><\/h2>\n

How do Slovaks feel about hydrogen technologies? According to Erika, awareness is rising significantly. It\u2019s helped by long-term work in the field and by the fact that H2GP Slovakia is part of the INOVATO cluster and a member of NVAS\u2014the National Hydrogen Association of Slovakia. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks to these partnerships, the topic is reaching not only schools but also companies\u2014from technically focused businesses to those that work with hydrogen in real-world applications,\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/i> Erika explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

H2GP is a visually attractive format: moving models, real-time data measurement and pit-stop dynamics appeal to children, teens, parents and partners across generations.<\/span><\/p>\n

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And what about companies? <\/span>\u201cFurther cooperation with companies would make a lot of sense. After all, future colleagues are growing up in schools, and we\u2019ll be very happy if we can become partners on their journey toward real-world practice,\u201d <\/i><\/strong> Erika says openly. Every form of support\u2014material, mentoring or financial\u2014helps schools move forward and gives companies the chance to discover talent right in action. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s exactly what STEAM is about: connecting science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics into meaningful projects where theory becomes practice and talent becomes results.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Students become real engineers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

So what is H2GP\u2019s biggest added value?<\/span> \u201cWe see the biggest added value in the fact that it turns learning into real practice,\u201d<\/i><\/strong> Erika says plainly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Students don\u2019t stop at theory\u2014they design, build, measure, analyze and improve. Working with a fuel cell and real-time energy, they experience the full engineering cycle: from idea to prototype to race and data-driven feedback. <\/span><\/p>\n

And alongside that? They naturally grow in teamwork, planning, presenting and handling pressure\u2014skills that the real world will later demand from them.
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H2GP 2025 Chemnitz World Final<\/p><\/div>\n

For the school system, H2GP is a bridge between education and industry. Teachers gain methodological support and new ways of assessment, schools make technical fields more attractive, and companies see real talent in action. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt creates a mentorship pipeline\u2014older students lead younger ones, there\u2019s more space for Girls in STEM, and healthy motivation through international comparison,\u201d<\/span><\/i> Erika explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

The result? \u201c<\/strong><\/span>More confident young innovators who can solve problems, understand clean energy, and can stay at home\u2014not as program participants anymore, but as reinforcements for schools, universities and companies.\u201d
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H2GP 2025 Chemnitz World Final<\/p><\/div>\n

An investment in young people that pays off for companies<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To wrap up, we asked Erika about a topic that is crucial for H2GP\u2019s future. We wanted to know why companies should invest in supporting young innovators in Slovakia and what benefits it brings them. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cClearly and plainly: partnering with H2GP is a pleasant and meaningful way for companies to connect support for young people with real outcomes\u2014in talent, innovation and reputation,\u201d<\/span><\/i> Erika answers bluntly.<\/span><\/p>\n

And then she continues with what that actually means in practice:<\/span><\/p>\n

Talent, first-hand:<\/b>\u201cCompanies see students doing real work\u2014data, energy, design, strategy\u2014and can approach them early for internships or future roles,\u201d<\/span><\/i> he replied. It\u2019s not just about CVs and interviews, but about seeing a person in action\u2014how they think, how they solve problems, how they work in a team.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strong employer branding & ESG:<\/b> Linking up with education and clean energy gives companies visibility at events, in the media and on social networks.<\/span> \u201cAnd it\u2019s authentic,\u201d<\/span><\/i> Erika adds.<\/span> \u201cIt\u2019s not just a billboard\u2014it\u2019s real work with young people.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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Innovation from the field:<\/b> Teams test components and procedures in real conditions.<\/span> \u201cPartners can assign mini-projects and gain ideas and measurements straight from the track,\u201d<\/span><\/i> Erika says. Sometimes the best solution comes from someone looking at the problem with fresh eyes. <\/span><\/p>\n

Long-term connection with schools:<\/b> The opportunity to build stable cooperation with teachers, workshops and universities, involve company mentors and co-create training content\u2014without unnecessary bureaucracy.<\/span> \u201cIt\u2019s a natural connection, not paperwork,\u201d<\/span><\/i> she explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

A broader talent pool:<\/b> Different types of schools and students take part in H2GP.<\/span> \u201cDiverse teams naturally bring more creativity and better solutions,\u201d<\/span><\/i> Erika says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Regional impact and connections:<\/b> New collaborations, PR opportunities and regional projects emerge.<\/span> \u201cIt becomes a living network of people who know and respect each other.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy invest now?\u201d Erika asks rhetorically\u2014and answers right away: <\/span>\u201cH2GP is practical, visible and has immediate impact: support turns into real people, skills and results. We\u2019d be happy to discuss collaboration options\u2014from component donations and mentoring to joint pilots or a longer-term partnership program.\u201d <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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TEXT:<\/strong><\/span>Nat\u00e1lia Sta\u0161\u00edkov\u00e1<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/i>PHOTO:<\/strong><\/span>H2GP Slovakia<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We spoke with Erika Czingel from the civic association H2GP Slovakia. She told us what really happens when teams from Slovakia and the Czech Republic meet on the track. She also explained why companies should invest in young talent. At the same time, she outlined what the future of technical education in Slovakia looks like. Ko\u0161ice showed that the east has both talent and partners The Ko\u0161ice Hydrogen Cup delivered exactly what the organizers wanted\u2014a live demonstration of how education can work. At the start line, 19 teams from Slovakia […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":14512,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[72],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14514","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-de"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14514","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14514"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14514\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14512"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14514"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14514"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14514"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}