The Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (ANNT), with the Embassy of the United States of America in BiH as donor, organised the third STEM Youth Camp (SYC) - a five-day science camp for secondary school students from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The camp was held from 15 to 19 August 2022 in Konjic.
ANNT brings together numerous young, successful scientists and experts in the natural, mathematical and technical sciences, i.e. STEM fields. They work, are active and continue their professional development at prestigious research institutions and universities around the world, as well as in Bosnia and Herzegovina. One of ANNT's goals is to bring scientific research and the work of ANNT members closer to young people, in this case secondary school students, and thereby help them discover and confirm their affinity for STEM fields. In this way, 48 secondary school students were given the opportunity to be scientists and engineers for five days and to become acquainted with contemporary scientific and technical trends.
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” Marie Curie
Participants had the opportunity to attend lectures by scientists from the United Kingdom - Dr Mahir Hadžić, full professor of mathematics at University College London, who spoke about research in mathematics, and Dr Saman Khaled, who works at AstraZeneca. Dr Amra Hasečić, professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Sarajevo and also a member of the ANNT Board of Directors, presented the numerical simulations she used in her doctoral dissertation, as well as their possible applications in industry. Students had the opportunity to learn, theoretically and practically, the basics of astronomical observation at the astronomy lecture and workshop by Aldin Kovačević. Member of the ANNT Board of Directors Dr Amina Seferagić gave a lecture on wireless networks, while Adnan Mehremić introduced the students to applications of artificial intelligence and trends in this field. It was a special honour to host academician Professor Emerita Branislava Peruničić-Draženović, who invited and encouraged the students to follow the STEM path and also shared valuable advice.
Through the technical workshops at the camp, the future scientists and researchers also gained practical experience solving simple but challenging scientific and technical problems. The aim of the workshops was to bring students closer to the scientific as well as the engineering approach to problem-solving, help them improve their teamwork skills and give them new knowledge.
The “Robots” workshop was led by Edina Ražanica and Maida Islamagić. Through this workshop, students had the opportunity to encounter the basics of control theory through practical application. The task was to get to know the anatomy of a robot that follows a black line on a white surface and to tune the parameters of a PID controller. Through teamwork, the students successfully met the challenges and had fun getting to know the world of electronics.
Amina Bećić and Bakir Kudić led the “Biolab” workshop. Participants explored the microworld around us and within us. They got to know fascinating DNA through the process of isolating it from plant samples. They learned how scientists modify DNA and, using an „in silico“ method, designed a plan for creating a genetically modified organism (GMO). They also learned the basics of using a microscope and dived into the microworld of cells.
In the “Solar Panels” workshop, participants, together with trainer Mehmed Kadrić, learned the basics of the physics of solar panels, calculated the daily energy production of a single panel and tried to increase energy production with the help of additional equipment and programming
Through the “Thermodynamics between Engines and Atoms” workshop, students, with the help of trainers Senad Isaković, Fatima Mašić and Amina Mević, examined how a diesel engine works and used the scientific method to determine the microscopic parameters of air.
Soft skills workshops on effective communication and presentation skills were also held, led by Dr Amina Seferagić and Denis Rudonja.
The camp also hosted a panel discussion, “Which university course should I choose?”. Members of the SYC organising committee shared their experiences of their studies, so that the students heard first-hand what it was like to study electrical engineering, bioengineering and genetics, law, mechanical engineering, medicine and physics.
There was also time for getting to know each other, socialising, sport and recreation, as well as fun activities such as board games and a quiz.
Through their engagement, the knowledge they showed and the questions they asked the lecturers, the students proved that SYC 2022 brought together the best of the best. At the closing ceremony, the camp's project manager Harun Muhić presented the participants with certificates that will remind them of the wonderful moments they spent at the STEM Youth Camp, and the new experience will help them in their further orientation and professional development.
