petarstoiljkovic

[petarstoiljkovic]

CAS PROJECT

Project title: Holding math classes

Date/duration: 1.3.2025 – 15.5.2025 ; 2.5 hours per week

Aim: Improving my teaching and organization skills and helping classmates

Type of activity: Creativity

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The mathematics tutoring was aimed towards my classmates taking HL Mathematics in the IB DP. I was revising the IB syllabus with my classmates in order to prepare for the final exams. The instructions involved me preparing example problems and presentations on topics which my colleagues pointed out as having trouble understanding. In order to carry out the project successfully, I had to work extra hard on my presentation and research skills. It was also a challenging to balance revising some of the topics myself and explaining the concepts to my classmates. Optimizing the preparation of the problems and topics for revision in advanced required a good amount of planning.

The instructions were held on Saturdays, each session lasting about 2.5 hours –from 10.00 AM until 12.30 PM. I decided to hold the instructions in our school on Saturdays as my classmates have different subjects and schedules so finding a period during the week in which they all were free will be difficult. I will have to prepare for the instructions during the week as I will rely on the feedback on what topics should be revised. The preparations will take a few hours of my time during the workweek.

REFLECTION

I will consider the project to be successful when I have helped my classmates understand concepts that they had a hard time understanding or implementing in problems. I will have to rely on their feedback to know when this is achieved. This project definitely challenged me and made me work on my organizational and presentation skills. Also understanding which specific ideas my classmates have a hard time understanding and focusing on that was challenging and I hope I was able to help them overcome difficulties in understanding those areas. Overall it was quite a challenge and I have come to appreciate the job our teachers do more than before.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

[petarstoiljkovic]

Sedmica umjetnosti

Activity title: Playing guitar at the week of art

Date/duration: Friday, 4.4.2025. ; 3 hours

Type of activity: Activity, Creativity, Service

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

I participated at an annual event that the students in our school organize, the Week of art. During a week in the early spring our students present different forms of art (acting, filming, painting, sculpting, music, dancing) with each form of art getting its own evening. I played guitar at the music night, participating in 2/30 songs that were prepared. It was my first time playing guitar for a big audience. This activity also includes many hours I have spent practicing for my performance both by myself and with the other participants. Also, the whole event raises money for charity and the amount that is gathered every year increases.

REFLECTION

It was one of my lifelong dreams to perform on stage and this is my last year in my high school so it was my last chance to perform at the week of art which I also wanted since I first saw the students performing three years ago. Needless I am very happy as I fulfilled my wishes. Also, looking back at my performance I am quite satisfied which brings me even more joy. The stage fright I felt while performing was unexpected and much harder to endure than Imagined. The experience was something really new to me and I learned a lot from it. Also the new friends I made during the practices are all amazing and talented, and I am glad I had a chance to get to know them.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

[petarstoiljkovic]

Suva Planina hike

Activity title: Hiking on Suva Planina

Date/duration: 20.4.2025. ; 3 ½ hours

Type of activity: Activity

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

Suva Planina (translated as The Dry Mountain) is a mountain near the city of Niš in Serbia where my father��s birthplace is located. My father, older brother went on a hike on this mountain. We started the hike from our house in a village on Suva Planina and hiked to the peak that is closest to the village. The peak we climbed is called Mosor and among the lower ones on the mountain. The hike lasted for a little more than 3 hours.

REFLECTION

I have been visiting my father’s native village since I was little and we have always spoken how we would like to hike to Mosor on which we have a great view from our house in the village. We as a family have hiked to another peak that is much higher and further from our village so we wanted to try hiking to Mosor as well. The track was wide without any vegetation blocking the path which helped make the hike pleasant. Also, since it was time of Easter holidays the festive spirit we all had lit up the atmosphere. It was a really enjoyable day spent in nature away from noise and smog and I am certain we will hike there again.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

[petarstoiljkovic]

Skiing 2

Activity title: Going skiing

Date/duration: 11.1.2025. - 13.1.2025.

Type of activity: Activity

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

I went skiing with my father on Kopaonik. It is our family tradition to go skiing during my winter breaks. We usually spend a week at an apartment close to the ski tracks and ski every day for several hours. In the evenings we either hike a little through the forest or ski some more on the tracks that work in the evening. We were planning to stay in the skiing resort for a whole week but my father got injured on the second day of our stay so we decided to return earlier.

REFLECTION

Skiing is one of the few sports that I completely enjoy doing and practicing. This year was different as it was the shortest we have stayed in the resort. After my father got injured I tried skiing for one day by myself and realized that it was the sharing of the experience with my father what made me like it so much. It was one of the few times of year I had a chance to spend so much time with him doing leisurely activities, and skiing together with him was a big part of why enjoyed skiing. I look forward to the next year, and I hope that my father will fully recover by then.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

[petarstoiljkovic]

Mozaik prijateljstva

Activity title: Volunteering at a public kitchen

Date/duration: Friday, 27.12.2024.; 4 hours

Type of activity: Service

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

Our school organized a big CAS service day, with both IB1 and IB2 included. There where multiple options to volunteer at, such as the American corner, in the archive, in a library and in the public kitchen – where my friends and I volunteered with two more students from IB1. This activity involved arriving to "Mozaik prijateljstva" where kind ladies explained what exactly are our tasks were - they give us a lot of potato and cabbage bags, which we chopped and washed. The workers were all older ladies and they brought us cookies and constantly offered some kind of food.

REFLECTION

This was my first time visiting a public kitchen, and I was left speechless. Witnessing firsthand the struggles homeless and financially struggling people really left a strong impact on me. I felt really proud knowing that the IB students at our school have developed a tradition of volunteering at the public kitchen. The preparation of vegetables we were tasked with really felt easy and time flew by. While working there we were constantly making jokes and trying to liven up the atmosphere while from time to time something not so pleasant was happening at another end in the kitchen. Overall, it is an experience that will surely stick in my memory and I am really proud of my classmates and I for volunteering there.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

[petarstoiljkovic]

High school algorithm

Activity title: Competing in math at the “HS algorithm” competition

Date/duration: Sunday, 8.12.2024.

Type of activity: Creativity

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

I competed in a math competition held in Belgrade. Me and a couple of my friends who compete in math and other STEM subjects decided to form a team and participate in this competition. First we had to pass the qualifying exam on which we placed really highly and we travelled to Belgrade one day before the competition. The competition lasted for a couple of hours and the official results were announced not long after we have finished with solving the problems. The competition was organized by the students at the Mathematical faculty of the University of Belgrade and was aimed at inspiring highschoolers to learn university-level mathematics. The competition consisted of several long problems which would explain some concept and have you apply it in some specific scenario.

REFLECTION

I have always liked the math that is taught at university so when I heard about this competition I knew I had to participate. When we formed our team for the competition I was really satisfied as we were all acquaintances and I enjoyed spending time with them in the past. Also, when we passed the qualifying quiz with flying colors I had high hopes for the actual competition which later caused me to be a little disappointed as we placed lower than I thought we would. Despite that, I still cherish this memory as I had a blast with the boys in Belgrade and I got a chance to meet some people that are studying at the university I wish to enroll into when I finish the IB DP.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

[petarstoiljkovic]

Physics camp

Activity title: Attending a physics camp in Bijeljina

Date/duration: 12.8.2024.- 18.8.2024.

Type of activity: Creativity, Activity

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

I attended a physics summer camp in Bijeljina. The camp was focused on providing lectures and experiments to those eager to learn more than the standard school curriculum provides. The camp lasted for 7 days during which various activities were held: lectures, experiments, quizzes, team competitions and similar. Similar to the math conference I attended the lectures were organized into several degrees, depending on how experienced in math a candidate was they could attend more advanced lectures and the whole event is organized by ex math and physics Olympians from the Balkans.

REFLECTION

Participating in a physics centered event was quite refreshing as I usually participate in similar events that focus on mathematics. I learned about some really advanced mathematical appliances in physics and it piqued my interest. I knew I liked physics (which is why I decided to attend the camp) but this event help me acknowledge just how much I liked physics. On top of the academic knowledge I gained a few new friends who also like math and physics which made me really happy. I can surely say that going to the camp was not a mistake.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

[petarstoiljkovic]

Math conference 2

Activity title: Attending a math conference in Sarajevo

Date/duration: 6.11.2024.- 10.11.2024.

Type of activity: Creativity, Activity

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

I participated at a mathematics conference held in Sarajevo. The point of the event is to connect young people interested in mathematics or STEM in general and provide them with useful information about the possibilities in the STEM field. The conference lasted for 5 days during which various activities were held: lectures, projects, quizzes, team math competitions and similar. The lectures were organized into several degrees, depending on how experienced in math a candidate was they could attend more advanced lectures. The whole event is organized by ex math Olympians from the Balkans.

REFLECTION

Attending the lectures and the project was really interesting and I learned quite a bit about some topics with which I was not familiar. The organizers were not much older than the participants which contributed to a more relaxing atmosphere and made the whole conference really interesting as we could refer to the organizers as our pals. I also met a lot of people my age that I share a lot of my interests with which is always exciting. Overall the conference was productive and enjoyable and I am glad I had the opportunity to participate.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

[petarstoiljkovic]

Visiting Višegrad

Activity title: School trip to Visegrad

Date/duration: 12.102024.-14.10.2024.

Type of activity: Creativity, Activity

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

Our class went on a trip to Visegrad, a small town in our country which is the place of action in the novel we recently analyzed in class. We were there for 2 days and 2 nights and we also stopped by Samac to visit the museum of Milica Babic Andric. In Visegrad we visited quite a few culturally important sights like the Mehmed-pasha Sokoli bridge, the Jewish cemetery and other. We also had individual presentations about the novel at the midpoint of the bridge. We also managed to enjoy our time there by spending time in caffes and relaxing.

REFLECTION

The novel we analyzed is one of the culturally more important ones in our country/nation as the author was awarded the Nobel prize for literature. Having the opportunity to see the place and the very bridge about which the novel is revolving around was a valuable experience. It put the novel and the story in a new perspective for me, seeing the places that were mentioned in the novel. Also the presentations we held on the middle of the old bridge was an unforgettable experience. I am grateful we had a chance to visit Visegrad to learn more about the author and the real world context of the novel which had a huge impact on our people.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

[petarstoiljkovic]

"Trotoart" festival

Activity title: Painting at the Trotoart festival

Date/duration: Sunday, 14.4.2024. ; 13.00h-17.00h

Type of activity: Creativity, Service

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

The visual arts teacher invited the students who were taking her classes to participate in this year’s Trotoart festival. She asked for more students to help them so I stepped in. We met with the teacher earlier on Sunday, 14.4. and decided on the paintings that we would be making. The theme was ecology and the protection of the environment. Once we decided on what we were going to paint we were given the necessary supplies and we began painting. The whole process took place in a park in the center of the town which was in the spirit of the street festival.

REFLECTION

It was a fun experience, doing art in public. All sorts of people who were passing by would comment and ask questions about the paintings. We barely managed to finish them all in time so it was a little stressful but we managed and were all quite satisfied with the results. Doing art and spreading a message through it and just participating in the event was really fulfilling and I am grateful I decided to get involved.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

[petarstoiljkovic]

Skiing

Activity title: Going skiing

Date/duration: 8.1.2024. – 16.1.2024. ; ~6h a day

Type of activity: Activity

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

It is a tradition in my family to go skiing every winter. We have been going to the same skiing resort for many years and this time it was no different. We spent 8 days at the skiing resort and we skied every day from 9am to 2pm. We also went skiing in the evenings on the trails that were open for night skiing.

REFLECTION

Skiing is by far my favorite sport so every year I look forward to going to the mountains and skiing. For me skiing is so fulfilling and relaxing and the fact that I love mountains contributes to the experience. Though the quality of skiing dropped in the past few years with increasing crowds waiting to get on the ski lifts and with less and less snow every year but I still manage to enjoy it. Just being on the mountain and breathing unpolluted air is enough to make me satisfied but I hope that next year the conditions will improve.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

[petarstoiljkovic]

Going roller skating

Activity title: Roller skating

Date/duration: Tuesday, 19.3.2024. ; 17.30h-20.00h

Type of activity: Activity

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

A couple of my friends and I decided to go roller skating. We realized that we all loved roller skating so we met and skated through the city. Skating was really fun and was a good workout. It lasted more than hours and we wrapped things up only when it got dark so it is safe to assume that all of us enjoyed it.

REFLECTION

It was a fun activity with my friends and I am glad we decided to do it. Goofing around and doing tricks which I usually wouldn’t attempt when skating on my own was really fun and entertaining. On top of having fun we were also having a sort of cardio training, so I can say that we were also productive while having fun.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

[petarstoiljkovic]

Trip to Krupa

Activity title: Road trip to Krupa

Date/duration: Sunday, 14.4.2024. ; 16.00h-19.00h

Type of activity: Activity

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

My cousins came to visit us so we decided to take them to a local nature resort. We had lunch at a restaurant there and went for a lengthy walk afterwards. The place is a popular destination where people come for picnics. The nature there is really beautiful and is a nice place to grab some clean, unpolluted air and connect to the nature a little.

REFLECTION

The place is really popular with locals but it was my first time going there and I can understand why it became so popular. Something about the location just felt fairytale-esque. Walking alongside the river and picking flowers with my little cousins in the fields was really relaxing. The trip left a feeling of warmth and comfort in me and I will surely go there again in the near future.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

[petarstoiljkovic]

"Pozdrav proljeću" hike

Activity title: Kozara hike

Date/duration: Sunday, 24.3.2024. ; 8.00h-16.00h

Type of activity: Activity

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

A local mountaineering club organizes a hiking event every year at the beginning of spring called Greeting the spring. Our school’s hiking club organized a bus to the place where the event was happening. About 60 students from my school participated. We were left off at the beginning of the trail around 9am and finished the hike around 1pm. At the end of the trail the organizers served free beans to all who participated. After some free time we got into busses and came back to the city.

REFLECTION

The hike was a great opportunity to grab some fresh air and burn through some excess energy. Also the free bean stew the organizers serve is about the best meal I had in some time. Maybe it is because of the whole atmosphere and vibe, or because of the fact that you have to hike for ~10km to get there, but that stew feels so rewarding and tasty. Hiking is generally one of my favorite activities so I am not that surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

[petarstoiljkovic]

Visiting a mosque

Activity title: Visiting a local mosque

Date/duration: Friday, 9.3.2024. ; 9.00h-10.30h

Type of activity: Creativity, Activity

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

Our language A teacher organized a visit to a local mosque in light of analyzing a novel that delved into Muslim culture. In the mosque we were welcomed by a local Hodja who also invited a man who studied calligraphy who gave us a lesson about calligraphy in Islam and about art in Islam generally. He also demonstrated how calligraphy is taught and gave some students a chance to try writing it themselves.

REFLECTION

The visit was really pleasant and the people there prepared us a really warm welcome. Since our professor did the same thing with the previous generation (2 years ago) we were told that they were received with so much hospitality but experiencing it myself was really heartwarming and left me with an admiration for the Islam community.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

[petarstoiljkovic]

Excursion

Activity title: Excursion

Date/duration: 25.5.2024.-1.6.2024.

Type of activity: Activity

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

Our school organized a trip to Spain. Most of the students from my generation went on the trip – which is over 200 students. On the way to and from Barcelona we visited some places in France and Italy. We spent two nights in Italy and three in Lloret de Mar (a small town near Barcelona). We visited many important cultural monuments and museums during the trip.

REFLECTION

The whole experience was unbelievable to me and it felt almost surreal. It was the first time i have travelled so far from my home and the first time I visited countries in the Western Europe. I was amazed by many things I saw there but the best part about the trip was goofing around and generally just spending time with my friends. It is surely and experience from which I will remember many details vividly.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

[petarstoiljkovic]

Playing pool

Activity title: Playing pool

Date/duration: Thursday, 28.2.2024. ; 19.30h-21.30h

Type of activity: Activity

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

I went for a game of pool with a couple of my friends after an exhausting day at school. We met at a pool club and rented a table. Some of the people were playing pool for the first time so I helped them out with the basics. We ended up playing for 2 hours which flew by quickly.

REFLECTION

Pool is a really interesting sport and a fun activity to do with friends. I love how much physics can be applied to the strategy – from basic reflection angles to the spin of the balls. I quite enjoy playing pool and am always eager to teach others about the game. Overall it was a really relaxing evening.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience