Milan Radovanović, Vigor Majić Petnica Science Center

Milan Radovanović, Vigor Majić

Petnica Science CenterT3 = Talents to Talents

petnica.rs

Petnica Science Center

• experimental school founded by unsatisfied students• 32 yrs of continual activity• independent non-profit NGO• focused on advanced education in sciences, technologies and

humanities both for teenagers and school teachers• regional coverage = Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, BiH,

Croatia,... + international programmes• links with and 145 RD centers/university schools• network of 2,000+ lecturers

500 schools

Activities• Training courses, camps,

workshops• School support

(in-service teacher training)• University students ...• Policy impacts

3-20 days, 120-150 a year

educational philosophy• no marks, tests/exams• no ranking• no classes• no curriculum• no teachers• no textbooks• no rigid discipline• no certificates/diplomas• active position of students• students are respected

Results

• 2,800 courses, camps, workshops• 45,000+ participants• functional core of the new generation of

Serbian science and hi-tech economy• high policy impact in almost any serious

reform process in education• impact on possible brain drain reversing

Fundraising...• Government (various funds) †• International foundations ↑• EU governmental funds• EU projects• Science-oriented companies ‰• Private donors ‰• Petnica Alumni Fund ↑• Corporative support

WHY• Above certain level, teachers in

regular schools cannot suport highly motivated and gifted students

• Special schools could socially isolate students and could become rigid and conservative

• No similar institution in SE Europe

• Gifted students strongly support this model of work

• Why not?

SPECIAL FOCUS:Small/mid-size provincial schools

Students from poor familiesStrengthening personal links in the region

Cross-disciplinary (problem-oriented) approachFuture challenges

Innovative young teachersUniversity students

Promotion of independent non-profit education

Future development• Sustainability• More in-service teacher training• University-oriented activities• Tighter international links with best partners

30th anniversary was celebrated under high patronage of the UNESCO