On 16 November 2021 the president of the FabLab association, Roberto Vdović was a guest on the programme “Hodaj uza me i budi mi prijatelj” (“Walk beside me and be my friend”) on Radio Marija, on the topic “Young people and the STEM field”. 

Alongside Roberto Vdović, the other guests on the programme were Mario Spajić from the Green and Blue Sesvete association and Ante Boras, secretary of Jelkovec Secondary School. 

The programme is edited and presented by Ines Sosa Meštrović. The presenter led a conversation about the importance of the STEM field, about young people’s interest in STEM occupations and about the impact on the economy. 

During the conversation, Mr Vdović presented the activities of the various projects run by the FabLab association, both as lead organisation and in the role of partner. 

Particular emphasis was placed on presenting the “STEMerica” project, which is financed by the European Social Fund under the call “Strengthening the capacity of civil society organisations for the popularisation of STEM”. 

The “STEMerica” project runs from 12 May 2021 to 12 May 2023. Part of the project activities is aimed at the employees and members of the project consortium, with the aim of strengthening their capacity to develop and deliver STEM popularisation programmes. Mr Vdović also spoke about the recent study trip to Višnjan and Tićan, where consortium members learned about the work of the Višnjan Astronomical Society and the Višnjan Observatory. 

The activities aimed at end users include setting up ten science installations, converting and equipping a van and a trailer into a mobile FabLab, and delivering 20 multi-day workshops and 44 one-day events with the aim of popularising STEM.