Pristupačnost
The third meeting of STEM teachers at FER brought together about 200 teachers of informatics, mathematics, physics, computing, professional subjects in technical schools and classroom teachers from all over Croatia. The goal of the meeting, recognized by the Agency for Education and Training (AZOO) as an official education for teachers, was to enable primary and secondary school teachers to improve their competencies through inspiring lectures and interactive workshops on a wide range of topics from the STEM field. In addition to acquiring new knowledge, teachers had the opportunity to explore the possibilities of their schools' cooperation with FER and to exchange ideas and experiences with colleagues from other parts of Croatia.
Dean of FER prof. Vedran Bilas believes that our young talents from Croatia should work for the whole world and that they do it the best in the world. Therefore, among other things, FER stands for stronger internationalization and exposure to the challenges of competitive foreign universities.
"The best students come to FER, traditionally over 450 of the best high school graduates from the state matriculation exam in higher level mathematics and physics enroll in FER. However, FER makes a huge effort to maintain its status as one of the most desirable faculties in Croatia. FER invests a lot in the popularization of the STEM field and through cooperation with primary and secondary schools. We support initiatives and organize life-long education programs. We continuously work on the motivation of children, young talents, and the dissemination of science thousands of individuals, of all profiles and ages, from children of kindergarten age, elementary school students, high school students, teachers, parents", said Bilas.
The first part of the education included lectures adapted to all teaching areas, while the afternoon workshops were focused on specific topics. Classroom teachers participated in workshops such as "AI from a matchbox" and "Fractal world", which presented activities applicable in lower grades of primary school. During the lectures, the teachers were introduced to the application of robotic technologies, measurement of meteorological data, artificial intelligence and strategies for achieving carbon neutrality. The workshops provided them with concrete knowledge and skills to improve teaching and motivate students, inspiring them to enrich their teaching content for future generations.
"This is one of the most important events for the popularization of STEM in Croatia at the moment. It is extremely important for the development of dialogue between science, higher education and schools, but also between us STEM teachers. This meeting is a rare platform where teachers and professors from the field STEM collaborate and exchange experiences outside their halls. It is an exceptional opportunity to connect, share good practices and provide support to young talents, to help them keep that spark that we recognize in young STEM people. This is also an opportunity for us teachers to get inspired on how to get more interest or attract future STEM students", said Leon Jurčić, senior advisor for physics at AZOO.
At the ceremony, Dean Bilas presented certificates of appreciation to the principals of 25 secondary schools who made a significant contribution to the preparation of their students for studies at FER. Among the awarded schools are XV. gymnasium (MIOC) and V. gymnasium from Zagreb, Ruđer Bošković Technical School from Zagreb, III. gymnasium from Split, "Lucijan Vranjanin" Gymnasium from Zagreb, X. gymnasium from Zagreb, Andrija Mohorovičić Gymnasium from Rijeka, Varaždin Gymnasium, Franjo Petrić Gymnasium from Zadar, II. gymnasium from Zagreb, Josip Slavenski Gymnasium from Čakovec, I. gymnasium from Zagreb, Antun Vrančić Gymnasium from Šibenik, III. gymnasium from Zagreb, Juraj Baraković Gymnasium from Zadar, III. grammar school from Osijek, Grammar School of Požega, Grammar School of Matija Antun Reljković from Vinkovci, Grammar School "Matija Mesić" from Slavonski Brod, Grammar School "Fran Galović" from Koprivnica, Grammar School Karlovac, Grammar School of Antun Gustav Matoš from Zabok, High School Krapina, Grammar School Pula and Grammar School Tituš Brezovacki from Zagreb.
"As many as 40 percent of MIOC graduates enroll in FER every year, which testifies to the excellent cooperation we have with that faculty. FER is extremely open to secondary schools and teachers, enabling cooperation through various projects and initiatives. Our common goal is to continuously strengthen these ties in order to best prepare our students for a successful study and career in the STEM field," said the director of XV. gymnasium in Zagreb Nikola Dmitrović.
As a reminder, FER has been maintaining and developing cooperation with schools and primary and secondary school teachers for many years, including numerous educations, projects and other initiatives implemented as part of the "ŠUZA - from school to science and academic community" program.
Watch the atmosphere from lectures and workshops on our Instagram reel.