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Belgrade, March 19, 2025 – The winners of the second STE(A)M Challenge in Serbia are RePET3D from the Technical High School Pirot, Trashformers from Palanačka Gimnazija (Grammar School), Smartanci from the Technical High School Rade Metalac in Leskovac, and the Gimnazija Eco Team (GET) from the Grammar School in Vrnjačka Banja. Their solutions for applying science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STE(A)M) to address local problems were selected as the best among eight teams in the final competition, which took place at the Palace of Science in Belgrade.
The STE(A)M Challenge was organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Petlja Foundation.
The RePET3D team from Pirot developed a solution to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable resource use. Their project includes a system for collecting PET bottles, processing them into plastic filament, and using that filament for 3D printing. The Trashformers team from Smederevska Palanka tackled improper waste disposal in schoolyards through an innovative and interactive recycling approach. Their solution, the "Smart Bin," is a smart trash can with an engaging design and interactive elements that encourage students to dispose of waste properly. The Smartanci team from Leskovac devised an innovative way to improve energy efficiency and reduce unnecessary electricity consumption through smart street lighting. Their solution relies on motion and light sensors to automatically adjust light intensity based on the environment. Finally, the Gimnazija Eco Team (GET) from Vrnjačka Banja sought to enhance the local tourism offering by mapping and marking existing routes for cycling, speed walking, running, and hiking in the Vrnjačka Banja area. They developed an interactive app that allows users to discover new routes and access information about their length, difficulty, rest stops, water sources, and local flora and fauna.
Marija Krneta, Head of the Department for Secondary Education and Adult Education at the Ministry of Education, congratulated the winners of the STE(A)M Challenge and praised the ideas and dedication of all participants. “This competition provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate teamwork, acquire new knowledge and skills, and apply interdisciplinary learning in practice. It is important to emphasize that such high-quality projects result from collaboration between students and their teachers. Teachers engaged in this way not only enhance their own work but also exchange experiences and ideas across different fields,” said Krneta.
A total of 31 school teams from Serbia applied for the competition, which was announced in October 2024. With the support of their teachers, student teams identified a problem in their local communities and designed innovative solutions based on data use and STE(A)M disciplines, integrating technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and robotics.
“It is crucial that you recognize the value of project-based learning, as it will help you apply knowledge to real-world challenges. Most importantly, working as a team is an experience that will stay with you for life,” said Jelena Ružičić, Head of the Responsible Governance Sector at UNDP. Congratulating all finalists on their outstanding success, Ružičić encouraged them to inspire their peers, especially female students, to participate in future collaborative projects.
The teams that reached the finals came from: Vuk Karadžić High School in Babušnica, Mija Stanimirović Electrical Engineering High School in Niš, the Grammar School in Vrnjačka Banja, Grammar School in Smederevska Palanka, two teams from the First Technical High School in Kragujevac, the Technical High School Rade Metalac in Leskovac, and the Technical High School Pirot. They had eight weeks to develop their solutions, receiving financial, mentoring, and expert support to prepare their final presentations.
The expert jury selecting the four winning projects included Jelena Batur from the Ministry of Education, Milan Simić, Director of the Petlja Foundation, Marija Beslać, Director of Partnerships and Communications at the Nordeus Foundation, Zoja Kukić, entrepreneur, and Ana Seke, Project Coordinator at UNDP.
The four winning teams were awarded a one-day visit to key players in the startup ecosystem in Belgrade. Additionally, all student team members, along with their teachers, received a $300 voucher for purchasing computer equipment. The remaining four finalist teams received $500 vouchers, provided through the regional project "Climate Package," implemented by UNDP Serbia.
In addition to the four winning projects, the final also showcased solutions for reducing the negative environmental impact of the construction industry through recycled concrete, addressing improper waste disposal by creating trash bins from plastic bottles, as well as innovative ideas such as an automated garden and recycling used paper into decorative and functional items.
The STE(A)M Challenge was organized as part of the project "Building Key Computing Competencies – Towards the Workforce of the Future," implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Petlja Foundation, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Serbia.
