Belgrade, October 6, 2020 In cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia, the Center for the Promotion of Science, Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation and NCR Foundation started the project with the aim to improve the conditions for STEAM education in secondary (high) schools founded by the Republic of Serbia, an autonomous province or a unit of local self-government. STEAM education encompasses the study of natural sciences, technology, engineering, art and mathematics in an interdisciplinary way that has its measurable and clear application.
The project started with the announcement of a competition for the selection of five schools that will receive new school equipment. The maximum amount for which the school can apply is 525,000 dinars, and the obtained amount will be spent on the purchase of funds for the realization of modern teaching and extracurricular activities, which will help teachers to improve teaching in the STEAM area.
We are witnesses that our best high school students, mathematicians, physicists and many others win the most significant medals at international competitions around the world. They often lack the means to represent their country and demonstrate their knowledge. To my great joy, through this project we will have the opportunity to support the departure to international competitions of exceptional high school students who have not had the conditions for that so far, said Ana Košel, director of the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation, at the conference.
The competition for schools was officially opened today, October 6, 2020, and will last until November 6, 2020, at 4 p.m. All interested schools can apply via the website http://www.divac.com/steam where all additional information about the project is available, as the required application form.
STEAM education is a key success factor in the modern world of advanced technologies and digital business and process transformation. In order for a company to successfully implement a digital transformation, it needs talented people with skills from the domains of science, technology, art, engineering and mathematics. Through continuous cooperation and investment in their education, NCR has managed to change from a company that was once known for cash registers and ATMs to a company focused on software and services. That is why we believe that this project will enable young people to acquire the skills necessary to contribute to important business processes, to be initiators of change and to influence the creation of the future, said Stefan Lazarević, General Manager of NCR Serbia.
By providing modern school equipment, improving the skills of teachers, informing, motivating and moderating students according to STEAM disciplines,
During the announced project, the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation and the NCR Foundation will help students acquire the skills they need for the professions of the future and functionally use knowledge during further education. Exceptional high school students will have the opportunity to prove their knowledge at international competitions in the field of STEAM.
About STEAM education
The English term STEAM appears as an acronym, which refers to a couple of academic disciplines: science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. According to numerous experts, STEAM skills shouldn’t be studied separately, but need to be implemented into all schools, no matter the dominant professional-educational profile that the student would choose. Regardless of what the individual’s line of work will be, STEAM classes are going to be much-needed to successfully navigate the labor market.
About NCR Foundation
NCR foundation was founded in 1953, to support projects of the local communities in which the NCR corporation conducts business, and that are in line with the mission of the Foundation. NCR foundation approves strategic donations to non-profit partners whose efforts are corresponded with the philosophy of the corporation, including global donations through international non-profit agencies based in the US. The NCR Foundation focuses on programs to support development and progress technologies through STEAM education.
About NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation, based in Atlanta(Georgia, US), is the leading software company, and it provides services in the financial, retail, catering and telecommunications sectors. NCR Corporation has about 34 000 employees worldwide, of which 4000 are in Serbia.
About The Center for the Promotion of Science
The Center for the Promotion of Science (CPN) is a public institution, established in 2010 by the Serbian Ministry of Science and charged with promoting science and technology. In accordance with its mandate, the Center implements programs and activities by working with research and educational institutions in Serbia and around the world, and it also works closely with the ministries in the Serbian Government, the media and the private sector. CPN’s mission is to bridge the gap between science and society by bringing together all relevant actors and the general public in the research and innovation process.
