Mladen Sljivovic

13.02.2020

"In order to do the best we can for students and teachers, we are always looking forward to improving ourselves. STEM School Label is really all about that, improving schools in order to help them bring out the best in their students. There is a great opportunity provided on the platform to share activities and learn from other schools via submitted school practice evidence or on the forum. The greatest thing is obtaining an action plan based on your current school evidence and status”

Mladen Sljivovic, physics teacher

Gimnazija Zajecar, Serbia

Please introduce yourself and explain how and when you became involved with the STEM School Label:
Gimnazija Zajecar is one of the oldest schools in Serbia with tradition longer than 180 years. We are located in a small town in Serbia, near the border with Bulgaria and our main goal is to prepare students for college. During the last few years, we had an excellent collaboration with the Centre for the Promotion of Science, and when they asked us to be part of a pilot project we did not have to think twice. We heard about STEM School Label before as we follow the Scientix portal. We thought it was a good idea to have a way for the school to get feedback on their actions, so when we actually got a chance to get involved more, there was no way we would miss out on it. And shortly after we were selected as one of the Ambassador STEM School, a role we took upon seriously.

What is your main motivation for participating in the STEM School Label?
We take great pride in our STEM activities. There is nothing that gives teachers more pleasure than to see one of their student after long time as a successful and capable professional. And for a great tomorrow of a student, action is required today. With this wish in mind, in order to do the best we can for students and teachers, we are always looking forward to improving ourselves. STEM School Label is really all about that, improving schools in order to help them bring out the best in their students.

How did the STEM School Label support the development of the STEM strategy at your school?
With STEM School Label, we got a list of criteria that need to be fulfilled in order to have a great plan. There is a great opportunity provided on the platform to share activities and learn from other schools via submitted school practice evidence or on the forum. That alone is a good reason why every school that has tendencies toward STEM should join the STEM School Label. But the greatest thing is obtaining an action plan based on your current school evidence and status. This has been a great help, as now we have someone from outside, to look at what we are doing and gives ideas on how to do it better. External evaluation in the friendliest way possible.

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