After the success of last year's STE(A)M Challenge, we are pleased to bring it back for the second year in a row. The goal is to support and award the best ideas of Serbian high school students, with the intent to solve local problems by utilising SТЕ(А)М* disciplines, digital technologies and data. We believe that with digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, blockchain, robotics, etc. implemented in SТЕ(А)М fields, we may identify and offer different innovative solutions. Therefore, we invite you to invent them, and we will help the best ones become reality! 

The challenge is organised within the project “Building the critical computer skills for the future-ready workforce“, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Petlja Foundation, and with the support of the Government of the Republic of Serbia.

Who can apply?

School teams from accredited high schools in the Republic of Serbia, consisting of 2-5 students, and led by 1-2 teachers, can apply to the SТЕ(А)М Challenge. Both the students and the teachers can participate as members of different teams, but no more than 3 in total. Also, one team may include representatives of more than one school, i.e. the teams may consist of students from different high schools.

Students who were part of the three winning teams from last year cannot compete in this year's STE(A)M Challenge.

Digital solutions that were supported in last year's STE(A)M Challenge cannot receive support again.

What is the challenge?

The challenge is to recognise a local problem in your local community – school, neighborhood, municipality or the city, and to think of a way to solve it together with your peers by looking for answers in digital technologies and SТЕ(А)М fields.

What will the process look like?

The challenge will be implemented in four competition rounds.

First round

The challenge is open from 21st October until 8th November 2023, until 4 pm. You may apply by submitting the application form (available in Serbian only) to steamizazov.rs@undp.org.

To understand the aim of the challenge and find useful tools for the preparation of proposals, you can watch last year's info sessions on various topics related to the challenge on the UNDP Serbia YouTube channel. 

Second round

After the application deadline has expired, the committee will select up to 10 best teams, who will have the opportunity to present their ideas to the committee in the form of an online presentation. Information about the selection of ideas from the second round will be publicly available by December 6th.

Third round

After the online presentations, the committee will select 5-10 teams that will move on to the final round and receive further support in developing their project ideas. Information on the selection of the winning ideas from the third round will be publicly available by 20th December 2024.

School teams selected by the committee, in accordance with the public call criteria, will receive eight weeks of support to develop their project ideas into final solutions/prototypes. Details of the selection criteria and support can be found in the 2024 STE(A)M Challenge Rulebook.

The finalists will present their solutions live to the committee in November 2023 in the form of pitch presentations, after which the committee will select three winners.

The deadline for submitting the solutions developed in the third round is 13th March 2025.

Fourth round

The finalists will present their solutions in person before the committee in the second half of March 2025, via pitch presentations, and the committee will subsequently select three winners.

And most importantly – what are the awards?

For the three winning teams: Entrepreneurial tour in Belgrade – a one-day visit to the relevant actors in the startup ecosystem. 

For the students: Vouchers to the amount of 300 USD per team member, for buying technological equipment. 

For the teachers: Vouchers to the amount of 300 USD per team member, for buying technological equipment. 

Do you have questions?

Write to us at steamizazov.rs@undp.org

*Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics 

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