News

The festival, now in its sixth year, will be held on September 6th from 1 PM to 6 PM at Pasta Sala with a diverse program aimed at promoting engineering, metalworking, mechanical engineering, and technical creativity through engaging activities. The festival will also feature the traditional “Minox Zemgale” invention and innovation exhibition. On September 14th and 15th, motor sports enthusiasts are invited to the “Rullītis” sports and recreation complex.

This year, Jelgava-based companies will again play a key role in the event, offering insights into career opportunities in engineering at their stands. The long-standing partner of “Mehatrons,” the Association of Mechanical Engineering and Metalworking Industries, will offer workshops, technology demonstrations, and career consultations in the field.

The festival is also designed to welcome children and students, which is why it is scheduled on a Friday, allowing school classes to plan educational excursions to “Mehatrons.”

Jelgava Technical School, Jelgava Technology High School, and Jelgava Vocational School will present their educational programs for STEM professions and offer hands-on workshops to explore the practical aspects of these careers. The “Junda” Creative House at Pasta Sala will introduce its extracurricular education programs for the new school year, and the open-air concert hall “Mītava” will host a Technical Creativity Day featuring STEM activities.

Latvia’s University of Life Sciences and Technologies will also highlight the diversity of engineering and the wide application of knowledge in this field. The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology will showcase and provide hands-on experiences with a robot platform, electric bike, mobile emission measurement system, and hydraulic bush cutter. The Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences will offer a game on environmental issues, allow visitors to test surveying instruments, and demonstrate the strength and durability of wood. Meanwhile, the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Technology will involve participants in food experiments, allowing them to produce food products using technological cards. Attendees can also learn about the potential of artificial intelligence through workshops focused on meaningful AI usage. Additionally, high school students can attend a special masterclass where Jelgava native and “RocketGrip” co-founder Aksels Zingulis will discuss how to lay the foundations for successful entrepreneurship in school and lead a workshop on “How to Start an Online Business While in School.”

At the Metalworking Training Park stand, located at the Zemgale Regional Competence Development Centre, a professional skills competition in MAG welding will take place. Both skilled professionals and beginners (18 years and older) are invited to demonstrate their abilities. More detailed information on how to apply for the welding competition is available HERE.

At the “Minox Zemgale 2024” exhibition, works by inventors of different generations will be on display, ranging from students’ first steps in the world of innovation to inventions that have already become successful businesses. The best inventions will be determined by public vote.

It should be noted that from 6 PM to 11 PM at the Pasta Sala car park near the white vase, a car sound challenge tournament will be held. As is traditional, anyone passing by will have the chance to assess the cars and their sound systems during the competition. More information on how to participate and the competition rules can be found at www.mehiem.lv.

To capture memories of the event, a 360 video spinner will be available at Pasta Sala, where visitors can instantly receive the videos taken on the platform on their phone or by email.

As usual, fans of technical sports are also invited to the “Rullītis” sports and recreation complex. On September 14th from 10 AM to 5 PM, “Rullītis” will host the Latvian Karting Championship. Visitors can experience the thrill and adrenaline of speed on September 15th as well, when various motorsport competitions will take place at “Rullītis.” From 9 AM to 12 PM, there will be a speed lap race, from 12 PM to 2 PM – a precision driving event, from 2 PM to 5 PM – a mini drag race, and from 5 PM to 10 PM – a drift tournament. These events are also free to attend. Registration for the competitions is available at www.mehiem.lv.

The full event program is available online at https://ej.uz/Mehatrons2024.

By attending the event, visitors agree that they may be filmed and photographed, and that the footage may be broadcast, reproduced, and distributed without limitation. More detailed information on data processing by the Jelgava Municipality is available HERE.