STORY PREVIEW

2024

School Pit Stop

Osnovna škola "Jovan Jovanović Zmaj"

Vojvodina

MENTOR

Dragana Bogosavljević

Step 1 FEEL

List the challenges or problems in your surroundings (school,neighbourhood etc.) that bothered you.

Most of the challenges were connected with school life because the group wanted to create something remarkable for their school mates and future generations. They spend a lot of time in trying to find common denominator for problems like higher security, safe and faster communication, entertainment. The list of the problems contained the issues such as lack of IT equipment, air conditions, elevators, PA system, loudspeakers, new lockers, a place for leisure activities.

State the problem chosen to work and why.

At first, the group chose to work on renewing the school PA system, in order to offer better way of informing students about daily/weekly/monthly school activities, to warn about eventual problems in school, or town (if something is under construction, or out of work, or rescheduled, or other security issues) and for the entertainment during the break. Since they faced with time and financial obstacles, and lack of support, as well, they had to rephrase their challenge, but decided to keep "security", "safety", "education " and "knowledge" in one place. They came up with "School Pit Stop"

Who were the people affected by the problem? What were their primary concerns?

All students in school are, or could be the main target. Although we live in digital world, very often our students don't get important messages from school on time, or they are not able to finish the important task, or have some other difficulties connected with information and education. The group agreed that School "Pit Stop" will have a purpose similar to the one in Formula 1 - being a safe place for the realization of certain learning content, like making presentations, projects, homework, as well as to enable them to be prepared more fully for class, providing an adequate literature, school supplies, or equipment. The previous role of the chosen room was mainly connected to students from sensitive groups, but we decided that the new project would include all children in school.

Step 2 IMAGINE

List ALL the different solutions you came up with.

The list of solutions wasn't that long since the group wanted to include the ecological aspect in the project. They knew from the very beginning that they'd keep anything that can be reusable. This is what they wrote down: - empty the whole place - make an open concept space - paint the walls - provide the electricity for the light and the IT equipment - repair and paint the cupboards, but remove the doors - repair the table for laptops - get the space for wardrobe - get the wardrobe - get the space for school equipment - get the school equipment - get the space for toys - make a F1 race flag and Pit Stop sign - get a billboard/ white board - make rules and instructions - get the boxes, buy magnets - mirror, glass mosaic - draw the dragon because we are "J.J. Zmaj" school - put the picture of the Students Parliament president Jovana :)

Which solution from those listed above did you choose to implement and why?

Almost all of them were doable, and most of them could save the energy, money and the environment ... but the mirror, glass mosaic and picture of the Students Parliament president Jovana, were later removed from the list as irrelevant to the project. The group members decided to share the work and transform themselves into architects, painters, carpenters, masters of recycling. They knew how to solve the electricity problem, and they managed to find all necessary funds and resources.

Step 3DO

Describe very briefly the process of implementing your solution(s).

The group used spring holiday to clean the whole space, repair the existing elements and "refresh" the interior. The school management provided funds for furnishing and necessary IT equipment. Our school mates and teachers were thrilled to fill the cupboard shelves with contents that would turn this corner into a safe, inclusive and stimulating environment for working and learning.

What was the result or impact of your project?

Our school mates now have completely renovated room that kept its original purpose, but also has new contents for pupils who sometimes need to borrow additional wardrobe, or school supplies, or to find a place and time for additional work and further improvement.

How many people were impacted by your solution(s)?

1000

What did the impacted people have to say about your project? Provide 2 quotes or testimonials:

Vuk: "Woow, this Pit Stop is equipped better than a paper shop. I hope we could save this place for a long period" Nadja: "It's a cool thing that we have these laptops. Numerous times I couldn't post something online because the internet was weak. We did the great job!"

What challenges did you encounter while implementing your project, and how did you overcome them?

Apart from "feel" phase, which took more than two months of our lives, mostly it was misunderstanding from colleagues and students who didn't participate in project,. The group members were often absent from classes, and later they had to make up a lot, but they had a great support from our principal and local authorities.

How long did it take to implement your solution?

MORE THAN 30 DAYS

Which global goals does your story align with?

Quality Education

Please explain briefly why do you think so?

If the UN Convention states that every child has the right to an education, and “quality education” implies equality in education at all levels, then we can confidently claim that "Pit Stop" in Zmajeva School is a small, but certain step forward towards ensuring equal conditions for current and future generations, no matter what the obstacles are. Our "Pit Stop" is available at any time during school working hours. It is a safe place for the realization of certain learning content, like making presentations, projects, homework, as well as to enable students to be prepared more fully for class, providing an adequate literature, school supplies, or equipment, or some personal belongings. In "Pit Stop" you can exchange knowledge, learn together, work with teachers, even use some space and time to be with your own thoughts. We do not look at social status, skin color, or the language you speak, because the multicultural environment, where we belong, has already given us the freedom and opportunity to use cultural diversity, in order to enrich our personality and potential.

Step 4 SHARE

How did you share your project with your school and community? Who did you share your project with? What was their response?

We used the official school internet page, viber groups, school and private Fb/ Instagram profiles. The group members shared the news using previous BetterTogether project channel. All colleagues in school were informed about the project.

Approximately how many people did you share your story of change with?

20-50

Briefly share your plan to sustain the impact of your project?

Since we haven't completely given up on the original idea to restart school PA system, and our "Pit Stop" has been recognized as a good starting point for future audio-video activities in school, we hope that younger school mates will find love and energy to continue our mission. They can always count on our help, since we will all soon be a part of the Association of Student Parliaments in our town.

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