How to develop a talent in natural sciences?

Paper

We have been encouraging pupils to develop critical thinking and solving complex problems. Five years ago, we came across an international programme of research and studying that was designed for pupils aged from 9 to 16 and is called First Lego League. When we joined the program, we have established that the basis of this programme are research and robotics. It is peculiar for encouraging values like respect, responsibility, group work, self-initiative, sharing knowledge and experience.
It is important that the participation in this programme motivates the young pupils for technology, natural sciences, robotics, maths, the use of information technology in useful purposes. The participation in these activities enable the pupil to upgrade school subjects and make themes meaningful and useful. It is often established that the Slovene teaching process lacks the connection between the theory and practice. Pupils develop skills which they will need when they enter the work market. The most wanted profession in Žužemberk are: a construction engineer, a programmer, an electrical engineer. These professions demand a lot of technical knowledge, research opportunities, team and creative work. Pupils acquire all these skills at the First Lego League which has been carried out for four years at the Primary school Žužemberk.