Janez Demšar, May 27, 2026
The Engineering Spark Award
This is what the citation said:
The project introduces artificial intelligence to young people in an accessible, modern, and inclusive way, while meaningfully connecting it with everyday learning. By integrating the principles of machine learning and artificial intelligence into a range of school subjects, it promotes interdisciplinary engineering thinking, data literacy, and critical judgment.
Before the ceremony, a colleague asked me whether awards like this actually meant anything to me. I answered honestly that, personally, they do not. What I value is what they can do for the project: help promote it and, hopefully, increase the chances that Slovenian schools will once again educate engineers rather than merely future employees of the public administration. :)
The ceremony took place in Tržič, and since there wasn’t enough time for a cycling trip, I thought the main attraction would at least be the štruklji we’d have afterwards.
As it turned out, I was completely wrong.
The ceremony was held at BPT, short for Bombažna predilnica in tkalnica (Cotton Spinning and Weaving Mill). The mill is almost 150 years old and, at its peak, employed around 1,500 people. As it expanded, it eventually needed more electricity than the power grid could provide, so, being resourceful entrepreneurs, they built their own power plants. Like much of the European textile industry, the company declined during the 1990s and, in 2004… closed its doors
No, it didn’t close its doors.
We met in a beautifully renovated industrial hall that is now used for various events. The company now earns much of its income from electricity production, and we were shown one of its power plants. We were also taken through the tastefully restored rooms on the first floor. The whole complex—and especially Ms. Sabina Gros, the director, who guided us through the buildings—radiated ideas and energy. [See for yourself]((https://bpt.si/en/the-yard/) what is happening around BPT.
Then came the awards themselves. The organizers gave an inspiring speech and, well, the representative of the government gave a somewhat less inspiring one. Then the awards were presented. Although we had been assured that Pumice had been an undisputed choice, standing among the other recipients made us feel that we didn’t quite belong there. An engineer from Bovec doing remarkable work in local schools. Students who designed a helmet that helps cavers collect data. A tireless teacher from Slovenske Konjice…
Once the official part was over, it was difficult to find time to talk to everyone we wanted to meet. Events like this leave you with hope—and with renewed energy.
We still didn’t skip the štruklji, though. :)