We invite schools from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, the region, and around the world to apply for this year’s event “Materials Without Borders 2025”. The application deadline is August 5, 2025.
For the fourth year in a row, the Chemistry Department at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (PMF) is organizing the conference “Materials Without Borders.” As in previous years, the main sponsor is the Ministry for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education, while the event is additionally supported by the Erasmus+ and Horizon programs.
This conference was initiated by young researchers from PMF within the framework of the international project RM@Schools, which has been implemented at our Faculty over the past five years.
All previous events have truly been “without borders,” as we have hosted students from multiple countries including Italy, Germany, and Hungary, as well as schools from across Bosnia and Herzegovina. For a limited number of registrations, we are able to offer financial support for travel and accommodation costs. Meals, educational materials, and transport for field education activities will be provided throughout the entire conference for all participants.
Students aged 13–19 are eligible to apply with presentations related to STEAM fields, primarily chemistry, physics, materials science, or interdisciplinary topics that include computer science. Presentation abstracts, along with the names of team members and their teacher/mentor, should be sent to the conference coordinator at: mwb@pmf.unibl.org. The text should be no longer than one A4 page.
All additional explanations, mentorship, and guidance for preparations will be provided by individual mentors from the Chemistry Study Program.
Each student team will have 12–15 minutes for their presentations, and posters from all teams will be exhibited in the Faculty hall (poster printing will be arranged by the organizers).
Conference programme
Day One – August 25, 2025: ARRIVAL
Estimated group arrival time: 14:00–17:00
Guest reception (guides to accommodation provided if needed). Accommodation will be arranged at the Nikola Tesla Student Center and Hostel Evropa, depending on the number of participants and the registration order.
18:00–21:00 Welcome Dinner
Day Two – August 26, 2025: CONFERENCE
07:00–08:00 Breakfast at accommodation
09:00 Gathering and registration, Poster check and preparation, networking and participant meet-and-greet. Coffee and refreshments provided (Location: Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Mladena Stojanovića Street 2, 78000 Banja Luka, Ground Floor, Amphitheater)
09:30 Media statements (coordinators, teachers, team leaders)
10:00–10:05 Opening speech (Organizers – PMF, Chemistry Study Program)
10:05–10:15 Welcome speech (Ministry of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education)
10:15–10:30 Short retrospective of previous conferences and future plans
10:30–11:30 Student presentations
11:30–12:00 PHOTO SESSION and coffee break with poster exhibition
12:00–14:00 Student presentations continue
14:00–14:30 Discussion (jury deliberation and evaluation of presentations)
14:30 Plaque awards ceremony
15:00 Lunch at the venue and networking
16:00 onward Free time and rest at accommodation
Day Three – August 29, 2025: INDUSTRY VISIT
07:00–08:00 Breakfast at accommodation
08:45–09:00 Gathering in the Faculty parking lot
09:00–10:00 Travel to the industrial site
10:00–13:00
Welcome and discussion with engineers
Guided tour of the quality control laboratories
13:30–15:00 Lunch and networking at a local restaurant
15:00–16:00 Return to Banja Lukaand farewell to teams
FREE TIME
Read more about past years’ events in our previous posts:
2022 https://hemija.pmf.unibl.org/srl/konferencija-materijali-bez-granica-na-studijskom-programu-hemija/
2023 https://hemija.pmf.unibl.org/srl/zavrsen-medunarodni-edukativni-kamp-materijali-bez-granica/
2024 https://hemija.pmf.unibl.org/srl/konferencija-materijali-bez-granica-donijela-nove-pobjednike/
WELCOME!