The Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (ANNT) 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 03 to 07 August 2024 in Sarajevo.
ANNT was founded in 2017 by young scientists and professionals from STEM fields whose aim is to advance scientific research and bring it closer to society in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This time, 42 secondary school students from different parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina discovered a new dimension of science during the STEM Youth Camp. The students found that their love of science connects them even more than they had thought, and new friendships that will last a long time were surely formed.
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 Zlatan Ajanović, a postdoctoral researcher at RWTH Aachen University. Dr Amra Hasečić, a professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Sarajevo and a former 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 the basics of astronomical observation, both in theory and in practice, at Aldin Kovačević's astronomy lecture and workshop. Dr Aida Branković shared her career story in the field of applying artificial intelligence in medicine, while Adnan Mehremić introduced the students to applications and trends in the field of AI. Adnan says:
“I stood in front of them, talking enthusiastically about my journey in AI, the current achievements in this field and the key role of science.
I shared my experiences and emphasised the essential skills needed to work in AI, all with the aim of motivating some 40 young, ambitious minds ”
Dr Semir Hadžimuratović shared interesting facts about energy, and Džanan Ganić prepared a talk for young entrepreneurs and those interested in start-up companies.
Through the technical workshops at the camp, our brilliant students also gained practical experience by solving simple but challenging scientific and technical problems. The aim of the workshops was to introduce students to both the scientific and the engineering approach to problem-solving, to help them improve their teamwork skills and to give them new knowledge
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Asija Mević, Tarik Suljić and Bakir Kudić led the “Biolab” workshop, in which 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 also learned how scientists modify DNA and, using the “in silico” method, designed a plan for creating a genetically modified organism (GMO). They also learned the basics of using a microscope and immersed themselves in the microworld of cells.
In the “Solar Panels” workshop, participants, together with trainer Suad Krilašević, learned the basics of solar panel physics, calculated the daily energy production of a single panel, and tried to increase energy production with the help of additional equipment and programming.
The Small Science Museum gave participants the chance to get to know four exhibits representing different phenomena. Their task was to work out, with the help of trainers, why a particular phenomenon occurs and to explain it to the other participants. The phenomena they encountered were the Van de Graaff generator, connecting an electrical circuit, electromyography and the thermoelectric generator, i.e. the Peltier effect. The workshop was led by Tatjana Novaković and Emina Ražanica.
Participants trained neural networks in the “Let Me Tell You a Story” workshop, where, using sign language and the recognition of their gestures, they generated sentences, thereby translating movements into spoken text. This interesting workshop was led by Vahidin Hasić and Maida Islamagić.
Through their engagement, the knowledge they demonstrated and the questions they asked the lecturers, the students proved that SYC 2024 brought together the best of the best.
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.
One of the participants, Danial Halilović, enthusiastically shares his impressions: “I had an exceptionally nice and pleasant time at SYC '24. We had workshops of all kinds. The best workshop was BioLab. And the lecture that impressed me was Aida Branković's, as well as the panel discussion with all the volunteers/organisers. What I liked most were all the volunteers and organisers who made the effort to organise this camp in the best possible way.”
Faris Uzunović also shared his impressions with us: “I really must thank you from the bottom of my heart, because you stopped me from making a huge mistake in my life. The mechanical engineering presentation amazed me so much that I changed my plans for further study, which had been fixed for 3 years already. I am so glad that you filled my August with such lovely memories and rounded off my summer holidays with all the socialising, workshops and lectures. Thank you.”
At the closing ceremony, the camp's project manager Harun Muhić and Amina Mević presented 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.
The camp would not have been possible without its sponsors: the “Izvor nade” Foundation – project partner, USAID – Gold sponsor, La Terra Nostra, Centar Municipality, Planjax GROUP and SystemDuo – Silver sponsors, and Infobip and Murix – friends of the project, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them warmly.
