Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I am finishing grade 8 of the elementary school. Can I apply?
A. No. We require participants to have completed grade 9 (the first year of high school in Croatian school system). However, you can apply to our sister school, Youth Science Camp, which also offers introduction to the scientific method for students age 9 to 14 (Croatian participants only).

Q. I heard that Višnjan is a great place to do astronomy. Should I apply?
A. You can apply to Visnjan School of Astronomy (VSA), the oldest education program in Višnjan, which is entirely devoted to astronomy. The focus of Summer School of Science are natural sciences and technology (biology, chemistry, physics, computer science and engineering). VSA is an international school, like the Summer School of Science, and it is designed for high school students.

Q. I am a university student. Can I participate?
A. Summer School of Science is intended for high school students. As a university student, you can participate as a mentor: project or workshop leader, depending on your experience. Please contact the school organizers who can give you more information.

Q. I am very impressed by your school. Is there something I can do to help?
A. Everyone can help! To organize the school, we need volunteers, mentors, sponsors, donations, as well as people with skills in communication, design, writing, etc. Please contact the school organizers for more information and our sponsor page.

Q. Is there some way for me to participate, even if I am not a student or a project leader?
A. All of our lectures are open to the public and we are working on securing Internet broadcast. Parents, prospective mentors and other friends of the school are always welcome to visit us. If possible, try to announce your visit to school organizers in advance.

Q. Why do students have to pay a fee to participate?
A. We depend on fees to balance our budget. We are a non-profit organization that depends on sponsor contributions and most of our people work pro-bono. Nevertheless, a small number of participants from Croatia will be accepted without paying the fee, if their family can’t afford it and they can’t find a sponsor to support them. Good students will never be rejected because they cannot pay the fee, but they must include a separate letter explaining the situation.

Q. What is the difference between the full fee and the half-fee?
A. The full fee reflects the real economic cost of the school. We encourage our Croatian participants to look for sponsors (private companies, home cities) who can pay the full fee for them. In case they cannot find the sponsor, we offer them to pay the half-fee. International participants always pay the full fee. Read more about the fees here.

Q. Will I have some free time?
A. Summer School of Science is based on projects that consume most of the day (8 hours). In addition, we have evening lectures and workshops. The time schedule is very tight and there is not much free time. You can find more about day-to-day activities here.

Q. When do I choose the project I will be working on?
A. Participants choose the project on the first day of School, after introductory presentations given by project leaders. There are three participants per project on average. School organizers try to accommodate all students on projects of their first choice, if possible.

Q. Do I have to learn something about the projects before the School starts?
A. Since participants don’t know which project they will be working on, we don’t require any preparation. Every project leader will start with an introduction that will build on the average high school knowledge.

Q. Is there Internet access and are there computers available for participants?
A. Yes, we have wireless Internet in the dormitory and it’s free of charge. There are several computers available for participants to use in their free time.

Q. Do you have organized arrival/departure to Visnjan?
A. No, participants have to organize their trip by themselves. International participants can contact their camp organizers to assist them with trip planning. For more information, see this page.

Q. What kind of proof do I have to show that I tried to find a sponsor?
A. First, you have to list the names of companies and organizations where you have applied for sponsorships. If refused, (a) they might tell you that in a conversation, (b) write you a letter, or (c) they might not respond in any way. Provide all information you have available about each refusal.

Q. I don't know how to look for a sponsor. Can someone help me?
A. Please consult this page for a first idea on how to do it. Ask your parents, friends and teachers to help you identify those who might have the financial resources to support you. Many students get sponsored by their high schools or city authorities. You can write to student organizations to inquire about their practices and experiences.

Q. Do I have to find a sponsor before I apply to the School?
A. If you are applying for a scholarship, you have to demonstrate that you have been looking for a sponsor already in your application. However, you can continue to look for a sponsorship even after you have been accepted.