Project “Nauka oko nas” (Science all around)

Prof. Dr. Ljiljana Damjanović

“Nauka oko nas” (Science all around) was born in 2010

The project started at the Faculty of Physical Chemistry

• To get perspective students more interested in career in science

• To educate general public about the science of physical chemistry

• To promote scientific way of thinking

“Nauka oko nas” Program

One day program for (mostly) senior high school students

• Greeting – introduction and outline

of the day

• Section 1: Lectures

• Section 2: Lunch

• Section 3: Experiments

• Conclusion

Section 1: Lectures • Interesting scientific concept

introduced by a faculty member • Presentation adopted for high

school level • Short and concise (~20 min) • Sample lecture topics:

• “Science and art”, • “Forensics”, • “Electricity from chemical reaction”, • “Microwave oven and cell phone are

related?” • “Five weeks in a balloon – has Jules

Verne chosen the right time for his travel”

• “Why is recycling important?”

NOTE: attractive lecture title is a must!

Section 2: Lunch

• Lunch provided for all participants in the library

• Opportunity for high school students to discuss scientific careers with undergraduate students, and ask questions

NOTE: music in the background during lunch helps to break the tension and ease into discussion with scientists-in-the-making

Section 3: Experiments

• Hands-on experience in the lab

• Independently or in the groups

• Supervised and mentored by students and faculty

• Sample experiments:

(list 2)

Conclusion

• Participants fill in the evaluation forms at the end of the visit.

• Information dispersion via facebook page and FFH web site (info, photos of the day)

• Follow-up communication with high school students regarding application via e-mail

NOTE: Communication between our undergraduates and high school students has proven to be very successful for recruiting.

http://www.ffh.bg.ac.rs/nauka_oko_nas.html

https://www.facebook.com/fizickahemija.upis?fref=ts

“Nauka oko nas” Summary

• In four years (2010-2013), 700 high school students have participated in the program

• High-school students who attended “Nauka oko nas”, became presenters when they became our undergraduate students

• According to our statistics about 40 % of applicants have took part in project “Nauka oko nas”

This year, for the first time in couple of decades, we have had 139 applicants for 100 available places in freshman class of Faculty of Physical Chemistry.

“Nauka oko nas” Acknowledgments

Financial support:

• 2010 - Secretariat for Sport and Youth, City of Belgrade

• 2011 - The Municipality of Stari Grad

• 2012 and 2013 – Centre for the Promotion of Science

Thanks to:

• Great students and faculty of Faculty of Physical Chemistry

Questions:

• ljiljana@ffh.bg.ac.rs

THANK YOU!