From exploring various science projects to diving into creative filmmaking or supporting health and inclusion initiatives, students today have access to diverse programs that inspire and empower. This article highlights opportunities in science, arts, and health where young people can learn, create, and make a difference. 

Science  

ZEPS  

ZEPS (“Scientific educational programs for high school students”) is a non-profit  organization for the popularization of science and the education of young people in the field of science. Through their projects, they want to enable young people to learn about science in an accessible way and collaborate with professors and experts by researching areas that interest them. Their long-term goal is to create a network of communication and cooperation between high school students and colleges in Croatia. By connecting interested high school students with professors from various faculties of the University of Zagreb, they enable young people to learn about science and experience what scientific research, laboratory work and scientific communication look like. Through the association, students come into contact with professors and get the opportunity to develop their own project or work on an existing project at the university. With an individual approach, the professors mentor the students and help them in the realization of their research work or project, which, depending on the agreement of the student and the mentor, can be presented in front of other participants in the form of a science fair at the end of the collaboration. The project gives students the opportunity to get to know the field of  science they are interested in and to see what that field looks like first hand. In this way, in  addition to gaining work skills and experience in a scientific research environment, students also get a clearer picture of whether that field is something they would like to pursue in the future.

Current projects which are available focus on chemistry and biology in collaboration with faculties such as PMF (Prirodoslovno matematički fakultet (Faculty of Science)), FKIT (Fakultet kemijskog inžinjerstva i tehnologije (Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology)), Učiteljski fakultet (Faculty of Teacher Education), and PBF (Prehrambeno-biološkifakultet (Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology)). The projects vary from topics such as “Biocatalysis, i.e. application enzymes as biological catalysts in implementation of different chemical reaction”, “Grain processing and new technologies in the production of cereal products”, “Food packaging materials, from synthetic (plastic) up to biodegradable and edible materials”, and “Ecology of freshwater microinvertebrates”.  

Whether students have experience in the “science world” or not, and whether they are familiar with scientific language, laboratories, etc. doesn’t prevent them from signing up. Anyone can sign up for any of the projects available. If you do want to sign up for one of the projects you can immediately sign up via their website, or email: “[email protected]”, or via their Instagram:  “@udrugazeps”.  

   

MUZZA  

Association MUZZA is a non-profit organization for the popularization of science,  technology, culture, education and sustainable development of society. Their long-term goal is to establish a Science Museum, as a unique place where children and young people, as well as people with special needs, will encounter the rich knowledge, discoveries and achievements that have brought human civilization to the point of development where it is today. The activities of the MUZZA Association are therefore intended for preschoolers, elementary school students, high school students, and university students, and cooperation is carried out with experts from all parts of the educational system, with a special emphasis on teachers of science subjects. Through their projects, they popularize science through fun, socializing, research, and experiments, as well as representing and supporting talented students and their inventions. In addition, they create humanitarian projects aimed at educating target groups and collaborate with partners from Croatia, Europe and the world to make science accessible to everyone. The humanitarian project “RUKSACI MALIH STRAŽIVAČA” (“BACKPACKS OF LITTLE RESEARCHERS”) is underway, intended for primary schools in Glina, Petrinja and Dvor. These are backpacks that will contain a collection of popularly written books in the field of natural sciences intended for children from the  

5th to the 8th grade of elementary school. Along with the books, each backpack will contain a toy related to programming and robotics. The project is planned to cover nine schools from the mentioned cities and include about a hundred students who show a special interest in natural sciences. The goal of this project is to provide each school with at least two backpacks for young science researchers and thus support children whose schools and school libraries were damaged in the earthquake. It is planned that the project intended for the earthquake-affected area of the Sisak-Moslavina County will be completed by the end of April. In order to join this project, as well as future projects, you can contact the association via their facebook: “MUZZA – Power of science, technology and culture”, their email: “[email protected]” or via their Instagram: “@udrugamuzza ”.  

   

Arts  

KKZ  

KKZ (Kinoklub Zagreb (Cinema Club Zagreb)) is a community of amateur film makers that, with free access to film tools, knowledge and programs, enables creative filmmaking and reflection on film. It acts as an amateur film platform that supports complete author’s freedom, and with free access to film knowledge and tools, it enables all interested citizens to engage in film. KKZ has become a gathering place for film enthusiasts, as well as former amateurs who have developed into professionals, and still today, its work attracts and encourages new talents. In fact, the greatest significance of KKZ lies precisely in its members and their productive impulse. In addition to enabling the creation of a film, the club also takes care of it in terms of its realization - each finished film enters into the impressive tradition of the club’s creativity, and each author becomes a participant in the club’s history, and therefore in the history of Croatian cinema. KKZ enables and encourages togetherness and innovation within all club activities for the purpose of improving the quality of content and positioning within the wider cultural scene as a center of innovative auteur film activity. If someone does not have experience working on films or film education, the only requirement for membership is to have completed the Film School of  the Cinema Club Zagreb. The KKZ film school is a beginner’s workshop where basic knowledge of screenwriting, direction, camera, lighting and editing is acquired. The theoretical basis is worked upon, which is then tested in practice by recording in groups or independently. Under the supervision of their mentors, the participants learn the basics of directing, translate their ideas into scripts, and then learn about production processes and shoot their first short film. Upon successful completion of the Film School, you will join the other members of KKZ. If you are already an experienced filmmaker, send them a request for membership via their email: “[email protected]” with your résumé, a short explanation of your motivation for membership and examples of your work on film, and the Club’s leadership will consider the application. However, if you have no experience in filmmaking whatsoever, you can contact them about your interest also via their email.  

   

Health  

‘Dodir’ (Hrvatski savez gluhoslijepih osoba)  

‘Dodir’ (‘Touch’) is a national, non-governmental and non-profit organization with the aim  of enabling dignified and equal coexistence of deaf-blind people in the social community. Their goal is to promote the interests of deaf-blind people in the Republic of Croatia and abroad by realizing their basic human rights to education, rehabilitation, communication and socialization. Four things are most important to them: belief, respect, support, and provision. They believe in the uniqueness and potential of each individual, their gifts, wants, and needs. They respect the dignity and right of every person to lifelong learning and development, the right to self- determination and choice. They support the diversity of the needs of each individual and  provide them with individual programs and services. They provide support to the individual   and encourage self-help activities in order to reach the desired levels of skills and independence that lead to an improvement in the quality of life. From the very beginning, ‘Dodir’ has based its activities on the real needs of deaf-blind people and their family members, especially with the aim of ensuring and providing quality support in access to information, communication, movement and social interaction. The main skill that is taught there is sign language (there are sign language courses you can take and then after you decide whether you want to go on and continue studying sign language). All additional information on courses and volunteering, as well as becoming an official member and volunteer of the ‘Dodir’ organization can be found out by contacting them either via email: “[email protected]” or their phone number (01) 4875 431. Additionally, you can see a lot of the information and news on their Instagram account “@savez_dodir”, on their facebook account “Dodir” or their YouTube account “Savez  Dodir”.