It's alive again at the River School of Natural Sciences and Graphics.

The Prirodoslovna i grafička škola Rijeka has once again become a hub of scientific exploration with its tenth edition of the Summer School of Chemistry, drawing students from across Croatia. The event, which began ten years ago as an enthusiastic initiative by teachers and scientists, has since evolved into a well-established program attracting young chemistry enthusiasts from cities such as Rijeka, Zagreb, Bjelovar, and Varazdin. Over twenty participants have gathered this year to engage in both classroom lectures and hands-on laboratory work, experiences often absent from regular school curricula. This annual summer program, held twice yearly through winter and summer cycles, continues to provide a unique opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of chemistry beyond traditional education. The Summer School of Chemistry was initiated with a small group of seven students in its inaugural year, according to Rijeka's school principal, Radenko Bradić. By the following year, the number had grown to twenty, marking the beginning of more structured organization. The school partnered with the Učenički dom Kvarner, where students reside during the program’s duration. Additional support came from Ino, which invested in the school’s laboratory facilities, while the Upravni odjel za odgoj i obrazovanje Primorsko-goranske županije has been a consistent supporter throughout the program's development. From the outset, the Institute Ruđer Bošković has played a key role, alongside the Croatian Society of Chemical Engineers and the Eduka Association. Bradić emphasized that the program's initial goal was to connect secondary schools with science, aiming to inspire students and foster interest in scientific research. He noted that the name of the program might be misleading, suggesting instead a title such as “Representative Camp for Chemists from Across Croatia,” given that the best and most interested students attend the program twice a year for five days each time. Many of these students go on to pursue higher education in chemistry or related fields, returning later as scientists and lecturers. The program offers them the chance to learn from the best and to shape their future careers accordingly. A notable feature of the program is that all instructors volunteer their services, contributing their expertise without financial compensation. This dedication has been recognized by officials within the educational sector. Iva Erceg, deputy head of the Upravni odjel za odgoj i obrazovanje, praised the program for exceeding standard expectations and highlighted the effort and enthusiasm that have gone into its development over the years. The program’s origins were recalled by Željko Grgurić, the retired professor who initiated the first Chemistry School, noting that prior preparations for international chemistry competitions held at the Prirodoslovna i grafička škola laid the groundwork for the program’s success. Eduka, a long-standing partner of the program, expanded its collaboration after the school could no longer accommodate all interested students. Renata Kobetić, president of Eduka, mentioned that the partnership has grown to include joint projects, further enhancing the program's impact. As the program has developed over the past decade, Tomislav Portada, director of the Summer School of Chemistry from the Ruđer Bošković Institute, pointed out that similar initiatives attempted in other Croatian cities have failed to sustain themselves. Despite this, the Prirodoslovna i grafička škola's program has remained successful due to its strong foundation and continuous support from multiple institutions. In another academic achievement, six Croatian students won medals at the 20th Central European Mathematical Olympiad held in Celje from August 23 to 29. The team secured five individual awards, including two bronze and four silver medals, and placed fifth overall among ten participating countries. Representing Croatia were Fran Čačinović from the Lucijana Vranjanina Gymnasium in Zagreb, Kristian Radić from the Third Gymnasium in Split, Matej Križanić from the First Gymnasium in Varaždin, and Ivan Katalenić, Lovro Kličković, and Martin Vidović from the Fifteenth Gymnasium in Zagreb. The competition, organized annually since 2007, includes teams from Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Croatia, rotating host responsibilities among member states. Selection of the team was based on results from the Croatian Mathematical Olympiad, organized by the Croatian Mathematical Society (HMS). Team members underwent two intensive training cycles organized by HMS and the association Mladi nadareni matematičari "Marin Getaldić." The Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth covered the costs of selection, preparation, and travel to the competition. Vlatko Crnković and Tadej Petar Tukara served as team leaders. Meanwhile, in Križevci, students are exploring life in space through educational programs aimed at fostering interest in astronomy and space sciences. These activities provide young learners with opportunities to engage with topics typically outside the scope of conventional schooling, encouraging curiosity and innovation in scientific disciplines.