Science days 2024 at FMT
The Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology at the University of Montenegro once again hosted a series of engaging workshops as part of the traditional "Days of Science and Innovation" festival. Over two days, on September 23rd and 24th, numerous students had the opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in materials, chemistry, and sustainable technologies. On the first day, high school students spent time in laboratories, actively participating in workshops and experiments alongside professors, associates, and students from the Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology.
Dean Prof. Dr. Veselinka Grudić introduced the activities with these words: "The idea is to spark an interest in natural sciences at a young age, as we have noticed a decline in interest in these fields. Young people are increasingly choosing to pursue careers in other areas, while natural sciences seem to take a backseat. This is an ideal opportunity for them to see firsthand the wonders of science and consider a career in it, especially in the natural sciences. Environmental protection is also very important, so we will discuss how waste can be valorized in synthesizing new materials with additional uses. We will also talk about bioplastics. Our workshops are titled Green Lab - Science and Sustainability, so this years program focuses on sustainable technologies and environmental protection topics."
In one of the workshops titled "Dancing in the Green: Chlorophyll Interaction with Metal Ions," students learned how to determine the concentration of chlorophyll in different plants and which chlorophyll-like compounds can be found in everyones favorite sweets. The workshop was designed and conducted by Prof. Dr. Zorica Leka and students Milena Šutović, Tamara Stojanovska, Lidija Perunović, and Kristina Aleksić.
Prof. Dr. Mira Vukčević held a lecture and workshop on the valorization of industrial waste in the aluminum industry titled "How Geopolymers Can Save the Planet." "Today, we tried to show students the importance of recycling and the valorization of industrial waste for the sustainable development of future generations and, if you will, the economic growth of Montenegro. Our research projects are not yet at a semi-industrial or industrial level but show great potential and the possibility of recycling these materials. Given its industrial legacy, Montenegro is of interest to scientists working on the valorization of these materials," said Prof. Vukčević. The workshop was designed by Prof. Dr. Mira Vukčević and Prof. Dr. Ivana Bošković, and students Gordana Šuković and Amina Orahovac worked with students in the extractive metallurgy laboratory to create geopolymers from red mud and metakaolin. The students took their models home to observe the completion of the reaction at room temperature and obtain the final product in a few weeks.
A lecture and workshop titled "Materials Science: Lessons from the Past for a Better Future!" was held by Prof. Dr. Kemal Delijić in the materials testing laboratory. The professor discussed the importance of understanding various categories of materials, their response to loads, and how to design and define several lessons from the past related to unusual or negative behaviors of certain machines that necessitated research to find solutions to these problems.
Students were particularly interested in the workshop "DIY Bioplastics: A Simple Experiment That Changes the World" where they learned about the requirements for producing bioplastics, the importance of starch, amylose, and amylopectin in this process, why it is important to use bioplastics, why it is necessary to reduce the use of conventional plastics, and how it affects the environment. They had the opportunity to make their pieces of bioplastics and take them home to observe the curing process. A prize game was organized within this workshop, in which the three best models made of bioplastics will be awarded prizes. The workshop was designed and conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Milica Kosović Perutović and students Slađana Kovačević, Nina Jovović, Ksenija Petković, and Aldina Jukić.
The fifth workshop, "Uncover the Secret of Magic Powder: Activated Carbon in Action!" was held in the physical chemistry laboratory. Students had the opportunity to learn about the production process of activated carbon from biowaste, to find out which properties make it a multifunctional material that can be used for water and air purification, in pharmaceuticals and products, as well as in energy storage devices. During the workshop, designed by Prof. Dr. Veselinka Grudić and Dr. Jana Mišurović, students Sonja Kastratović, Teodora Stojović, Nikoleta Marinković, Andrija Vujošević, and Anel Perezić created a water filtration system with activated carbon and demonstrated on a practical example how color can be effectively removed from wastewater simply and quickly.
The second day was dedicated to elementary school students, who had the opportunity to actively participate in numerous experiments in the lobby of the Faculty of Engineering. Three workshops were held for younger participants. In the workshops designed by Prof. Dr. Jelena Šćepanović, titled "From Ecosystem to Experiment," which involved simulating various ecosystems and human impact on them, and "Corrosion Challenges: Learning How and Why," where students learned about the causes of corrosion and methods of metal protection, students Maida Nurković, Jovana Topalović, Nikolina Ruljić, Danijela Obradović, and Ivana Vojinović participated. In the third workshop, "Science Fun: Exploring Chemistry Through Experiments," created by Prof. Dr. Zorica Leka, entertaining experiments were demonstrated to introduce students to the basic principles of chemistry. These experiments were conducted by students Milena Šutović, Tamara Stojanovska, Aldina Jukić, Andrija Vujošević, Staša Božović, Amina Orahovac, Kristina Tomović, and Kristina Aleksić.
The full laboratories and the lobby of the Faculty of Engineering testified to the great interest in the lectures and workshops, which attracted the attention of both students and future students. We are delighted that, as in the previous year, the interest of both elementary and high school students was overwhelming. We owe a great deal of gratitude to our students, professors, and associates for their enthusiasm and willingness to share their love and dedication to science with the youngest ones and to present the Faculty in the best possible way.
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