LACISE project inspires students at Smiltene Secondary School

On 16 October 2026, representatives of the LACISE project visited Smiltene Secondary School: electrical systems engineer Aleksejs Onackis and software engineer Emīls Miķelis Miķelsons from the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science (EDI). They led a session for 12th-grade students. The students learned what working in science looks like and which questions researchers are exploring today.

The visitors described a scientist’s daily work, the career opportunities in research, and the different paths that lead there. The EDI colleagues also shared their own experiences of studying and choosing a career. They showed that the road to science can begin at school, with curiosity and a desire to understand how things work.

The students were introduced to the LACISE project and learned about its goals, its partners, and the solutions being developed within it. Everyday examples helped make complex technologies easier to grasp. These examples showed where the research can benefit society and the economy.

The session ended with a lively discussion. The students asked about career opportunities in the technology sector and the skills it requires. They also wanted to know how science can help tackle challenges such as climate change and energy efficiency.

Meetings like this bring science closer to students and help them see STEM fields as a real and exciting option for their future.