On Wednesday, 7 October 2026, representatives of the Mechanical Engineering School of the Ptuj School Centre accepted an invitation to participate in the Climate Conference in Maribor, dedicated to strengthening climate resilience in the Podravje region. The school was represented by Principal Anja Jesenek Grašič, teachers Danijel Bedenik and Nika Grdadolnik Lorbek, and students Matic Samec and Jan Čeh. They presented the international Solar Village project, which explores natural cooling solutions for indoor living spaces through effective shading strategies and the appropriate orientation of glazed surfaces.

The Solar Village project, implemented under the Erasmus+ KA220-VET programme and coordinated by the Ptuj School Centre, combines technical expertise, scientific research and practical education. Its main objective is to investigate how thoughtful architectural design, proper building orientation and effective shading can reduce indoor overheating and consequently decrease the need for air conditioning.

“Be Smart, Cool Naturally!” is the project’s slogan, highlighting the importance of intelligent building design and making use of natural conditions to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption and create more comfortable indoor environments.

As part of the project, students, under the guidance of their mentors, constructed three experimental models of living spaces to compare different shading methods and their effects on indoor temperatures. One model is equipped with external shading, another with internal shading, while the third has no shading and serves as a reference model. Through temperature measurements, the project team monitors differences between the models and investigates how solar radiation, the orientation of glazed surfaces and various shading solutions influence indoor temperatures.

Special attention is also given to seasonal differences between summer and winter. While the primary objective during summer is to prevent excessive indoor overheating, winter conditions call for maximising the benefits of solar energy for passive heating. Therefore, building orientation, the size and positioning of glazed surfaces, and appropriate shading design are essential considerations in architectural planning. The research thus focuses not only on reducing summer heat but also on identifying solutions that enable efficient use of solar energy throughout the year.

Participation in the Climate Conference provided an excellent opportunity to present the project’s research activities to a wider professional audience and highlight the importance of connecting education, sustainable development and practical solutions for climate change adaptation. The school’s representatives also emphasised the value of involving students in real-world research projects, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge to practical challenges facing modern society.

The Solar Village project demonstrates that sustainable solutions do not necessarily have to be complex; they often begin with thoughtful planning and intelligent design. Through their involvement, students gain valuable experience in research, model construction, measurement techniques, data analysis and international cooperation.

The conference also provided an important opportunity to exchange knowledge, experiences and good practices while showcasing the innovative approaches developed by the Mechanical Engineering School of the Ptuj School Centre in collaboration with its students. Events such as this demonstrate that school-based research projects can make a meaningful contribution to raising awareness of climate challenges and developing sustainable solutions for the future.

Be Smart, Cool Naturally!