Two weeks of summer dedicated entirely to prototyping – that was the path chosen by the participants of MAKERS 5.0, an international Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) for students from the ATHENA Alliance and other partner universities organised by the Creativity and Innovation Centre “LinkMenų fabrikas” of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH). From 23 June to 4 July 2025, students gathered in Vilnius, Lithuania to explore rapid prototyping technologies and fully immerse themselves in the creative process.
The VILNIUS TECH Creativity and Innovation Centre “LinkMenų fabrikas” Summer School is designed for beginner students who want to deepen their knowledge in prototyping. For two weeks, Lithuanian and international students engaged in hands-on learning and practice in areas such as 3D printing, electronics, sustainable design, design thinking, and metal and woodworking.
From Idea to Prototype
The programme took place in two phases. The first was a virtual week during which students analysed design challenges, explored materials and user needs, and participated in interactive sessions led by experts from “LinkMenų fabrikas” and guest lecturers. The aim of this phase was to develop a strategy for the in-person workshop – from concept development to production planning and technical solutions.
In the second week, participants gathered in Vilnius at the “LinkMenų fabrikas” prototyping workshop for a four-day intensive prototyping marathon. Teams worked with 3D printers, laser cutters, woodworking tools, and, most importantly, electronic components that brought their prototypes to life.
On the final day of the international school, student teams presented their prototypes publicly. They not only demonstrated technical solutions but also highlighted the sustainability and innovation behind their designs. The ideas were evaluated by a jury, showcasing the teams’ creative thinking and technological competence.
Prototypes Developed by Students
Five student teams presented their prototypes:
- Smart Helper – a monitor-mounted device that promotes healthy working conditions by detecting whether the user is sitting too close to the screen, measuring room temperature and humidity, and helping ensure a safe and ergonomic workspace.
- Growii – a smart plant pot with built-in sensors that monitor soil moisture, temperature, and humidity, reminding users when to water their plants.
- Sound Totem – a noise-level meter that activates light signals when the environment becomes too loud, encouraging awareness of the health risks associated with noise pollution.
- Helper Kitten – a wall-mounted mini health checkpoint that measures body temperature and pulse, offering a simple and quick health-check solution for public spaces.
- Air Monitor – an air quality monitoring device that measures temperature, humidity, and gas concentrations, and triggers visual and sound alerts when safety thresholds are exceeded.
The MAKERS 5.0 International Summer School aims to enhance students’ competences and international experience through innovative teaching methods. The programme brought together students from the ATHENA European University Alliance – University of Siegen (Germany) and University of Maribor (Slovenia) – alongside students from VILNIUS TECH. Other partner institutions that joined the summer school included Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia), the University of Daugavpils (Latvia), Riga Technical University (Latvia), the Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (Latvia), and the University of Ruse (Bulgaria).
