The student conference “Materials Without Borders,” which for the fifth consecutive year has brought together high school students interested in science and research, was successfully held on August 25–26, 2026.
The Chemistry Study Program of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Banja Luka organized the conference, and this year’s edition had an international character. It brought together high school students, their mentors, and experts in chemistry and materials science, providing young researchers with an opportunity to present their work, exchange ideas, and gain experience in presenting scientific research results. In the final part of the conference, five selected teams from three schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina and two schools in Italy presented their research.
The topics of the presented papers focused on contemporary approaches to materials synthesis, environmentally friendly alternatives, and innovative applications of conventional and advanced materials in industry, medicine, and everyday life.
The conference was characterized by an inspiring and friendly atmosphere, while the participants demonstrated a high level of knowledge, creativity, and commitment to research.
The papers were evaluated by an expert jury comprising representatives of academia and industry. The evaluation took into account the quality of the research, methodological approach, presentation of results, and the students’ ability to provide well-reasoned answers to questions from the jury members.
Awards
The award for the best presentation at the conference went to a team of students from the “Scarabelli-Ghini” Technical Institute of Chemistry and Biology in Imola, Italy. The team particularly distinguished itself through a high-quality methodological approach, a clear presentation structure, and well-reasoned answers to the jury’s questions.
In addition to the main award, special recognitions were presented for individual aspects of the research projects.
Recognitions were awarded to:
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Banja Luka Grammar School – for the “Green Initiative”;
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Banja Luka Medical School – for “Commitment to Addressing Challenges in Medicine”;
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“Scarabelli-Ghini” Technical Institute of Chemistry and Biology, Imola – for “Research into New Alternatives to Conventional Materials”;
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“Jovan Dučić” Grammar School, Doboj – for “Excellence in the Circular Economy.”
The fifth edition of the “Materials Without Borders” conference once again demonstrated the importance of bringing young people together through science, research, and knowledge exchange, without geographical or language barriers.
At the same time, the conference represents an important platform for connecting young researchers, their teachers, and educational institutions from the region and Europe, as well as an opportunity for high school students to gain their first experience in presenting scientific research.
The conference was held with the support of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Srpska, which once again recognized the importance of high school students’ participation in scientific research events.
The Ministry of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska provided financial support, adding value to the activities of the RM SLO Plus HUB project, implemented under the EIT RawMaterials program.
