VCCC 2025 STEMM CHALLENGE YOUR THINKING
SCIENCE • TECHNOLOGY • ENGINEERING • MATH • MEDICINE
Are you of Croatian heritage and live in Australia?
Are you 14 - 22 years old or a parent of a STEMM student?
JOIN OUR INFO SESSIONS BELOW
our jump to the enquiry form at the end of this page to dive straight in!
STEMM CHALLENGE 2025
Come and join the challenge, build connections with accomplished academics and work on real business problems to challenge the thinking.
The STEMM Challenge has been initiated by the Victorian Croatian Chamber of Commerce in Australia together with the Croatian Central State Office for Croats Abroad, as well as Croatian universities, businesses and academics.
Connecting Australia with Croatia
ABOUT THE CHALLENGE
THE AIM
Through collaboration and promotion, this program will:
• expose and inspire the future leaders of Croatian heritage with Croatia’s successful scientists, inventors and academics, providing an opportunity to change the world one day
• teach the younger generation about the heritage of Croatian’s extraordinary STEMM minds
• celebrate and promote Croatian successes and influence in the world
THE WHY
The gap between the knowledge generated in the education system and the ‘21st century skills’ demanded by employers and individuals is widening. Overcoming these limitations requires a priority focus to develop workplace skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM), in conjunction with critical thinking, creativity, cultural awareness, collaboration and problem-solving.
THE GAINS
You will work online, in a small group, with academics in a competition to encourage forward thinking and innovation to existing challenges with real businesses.
The group will be challenged to research and present solutions for a panel to judge.
Throughout the competition the program will seek to educate students and promote successful Croatian STEMM stories.
The final presentations will be formally presented to a judging panel of professors and business leaders and held as an exhibition to celebrate our Croatian heritage and successful STEMM accolades.
Our Favorite Mentor Frances Separovic
Frances has been awarded Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), is a biophysical chemist, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, Deputy Director of the Bio21 Institute and former Head of the School of Chemistry at the University of Melbourne, where she taught physics, chemistry and graduate students in her field.
Our Favorite Mentor Ivan Marusic
Ivan is an ARC Laureate Fellow and a Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Melbourne. He received his PhD in 1992 and BE (Hons) Mech in 1987 from the University of Melbourne. His research is primarily in experimental and theoretical studies of turbulence at high Reynolds numbers. This includes studies in atmospheric surface layer flows and aquatic ecosystems.
HEAR FROM OUR PROGRAM ALUMNI
GET INVOLVED NOW
Fill in your details here
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS THERE AN AGE REQUIREMENT?
This program is for 14 to 22 year old Australians of Croatian heritage.
WHEN DOES IT START AND HOW LONG DOES IT GO FOR?
Each year we kick off from May/June to end by August/September.
The schedule will be developed to maximise participation with all presentations.
APART FROM LEARNING, WHAT ELSE IS THERE FOR ME?
There are prizes and awards to be won, as well as provided guidance for your career pathway. An extra bonus is making connections with an amazing community of STEMM academics, professionals, students and employers.
WHAT LANGUAGE IS USED THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM?
English is the first language and you might happen to hear some Croatian too.
I'VE ENJOYED BEING IN THE PROGRAM. CAN I PARTICIPATE AGAIN?
Yes! We encourage your development and success in STEMM.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT THIS GREAT INITIATIVE?
We're always keen to hear from Field Leaders, Coaches, Mentors and Sponsors who can see the benefits of supporting the development of future STEMM-Mladi bright minds.
Please make your initial enquiry via our form.