We attended the "Exempt from Theory" Olympiad Finals

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Incredibly creative, authentic and committed – this is how young people from all over Poland presented themselves, having successfully carried out their own social projects and demonstrated how the courage to take action can change reality. This year, we were a partner of the event at Legia stadium.

The nationwide "Exempt from Theory" Olympiad of social projects and the Finals is organized by the "Exempt from Theory" Foundation. This year's event was held on May 28 at Legia Municipal Stadium in Warsaw with over 5,000 high school students and teachers from all over Poland. There were also school principals, representatives of the public sector and business.

Students participating in the Olympiad face the task of developing and implementing a project that will solve a specific social problem. During its implementation, they learn how to work in a group, share tasks and how to get along when problems arise. They have to be creative and well-organized, and they secure their own funding. This year, over 1,000 youth initiatives reached the finals. They covered numerous areas – security and cybersecurity, culture, ecology, connecting generations, combating hate speech, but also health, physical activity and lifestyle, emergency response and health education. Paula Bruszewska, the president of the "Exempt from Theory" Foundation, noted that the number of projects nominated for awards increased during this year's edition to as many as 300, as the overall quality was exceptionally high and even. 

At the WUM, we firmly believe that education is not based solely on theory, but above all on how it translates into practice and action, including for the benefit of others. By attending the finals, our primary goal was to support the participants, but also to show that it is medical studies that combine knowledge with passion, social commitment and willingness to help. They also give a sense of real impact on the lives of others.

Even more practice and experience

The special guests of the finals were: Krzysztof Gawkowski, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Digitization, Government Plenipotentiary for Cybersecurity and Katarzyna Lubnauer, the Secretary of State in the Ministry for National Education.

"It is an honor to be with you and to thank you for dedicating your time, knowledge and emotions to creating projects that serve Poland, serve local communities, change our reality," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

"You are great!" emphasized the Deputy Minister of Education. "Even more practice, even more experience, even more agency – that's what Polish schools need."

During the finals, the main zone was buzzing with excitement as the Silver and Golden Wolf winners were announced, but there were also partner and inspiration zones, a chill area, and a space where you could present your ideas to experts. 

Our main goal was to give the participants an opportunity to talk to our students and see what studying at the WUM is like. Maria Jędrzejczyk, Maria Żmijewska and Jan Wójkowski were happy to share their own experiences – they talked about the first year of studies, classes with patients and what our lecturers were like. 

Many questions were also answered by members and advisors of the Anatome and Dietitians' Student Research Clubs. The former prepared additional puzzles in physiology and anatomy  and encouraged Olympiad participants to test their knowledge of the human body. Meanwhile, the Dietitians' Student Research Club invited participants to undergo BIA and muscle strength evaluation, offered advice concerning a proper diet, and dispelled popular myths concerning nutrition.

The finalists could also participate in workshops on surgical suturing. In this demanding task which combines patience, precision and appropriate technique, the participants were supported by members of the Student Research Club at the Chair and Department of General, Transplantation and Liver Surgery: Jan Derenda and Katarzyna Pierzkała.

The representatives of the Career Office also shared their knowledge and experience about development prospects in medical fields and what lies ahead for graduates after they complete their studies.

Winners of the 12th edition of the "Exempt from Theory" Olympiad

The Golden Wolves were awarded to 21 projects that, in the jury's opinion, best address contemporary challenges and have had a unique impact on their communities.

  • The EDUCATION category: Studdly.app – We make learning easier for Polish students with AI; jakaszkola.pl; Instead of Hating, Start Mediating 3
  • The ECOLOGY and NATURE category: TAME THE ATOM
  • The CULTURE category: Eviva l'arte - Long live art!
  • The URBAN SPACE category: iminti
  • The CIVIL SOCIETY category: Female Politician; See Us
  • The LOCAL COMMUNITY category: LiveON; The Heart of Generations
  • The HEALTH and SPORT category: Let's open ourselves to words; (im)perfect; Take Supplements Wisely
  • The TECHNOLOGICAL DESIGN category: Cyber Safers; My Slavic Literature Adventure
  • The PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT category: Learn; What for?
  • The PUBLIC EVENT category: The Wave of Reason; The SPARK Project
  • The CHARITY FUNDRAISER category: Hedgehog Day III; Equal Assistance in Education
  • In the PITCH CONTEST, the Wave of Reason project turned out to be the best

The best institutions in the "Exempt from Theory" Ranking of Schools were also distinguished. The first place was taken by the capital city's Warsaw Insurgents High School  No. 19. The second place was taken by the John Paul II High School No. 3 from Ruda Śląska and the third – the Adam Mickiewicz High School No. 2 in Słupsk.

The first edition of the "Exempt from Theory" Olympiad was held in 2014. So far, almost 167,000 young people from all over Poland have taken part in it.
 

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