Day 1: Welcome & Creative Beginnings in Zagreb

- Morning: Arrival, ice-breaking activities, cultural exchange games.

- Afternoon: Introduction to digital drawing tools (e.g., Procreate, Canva) and sustainability themes.

- Workshop: 'Nature in Lines' - students draw natural elements inspired by Croatia's landscape or their own environment.

- Outcome: Digital self-portrait or journal-style artwork representing personal connection to nature.

Prima zi a debutat cu turul ghidat al scolii. Elevii au putut face comparații intre sistemul educativ din Croația si cel din România. Au participat la un atelier de programare 3D impreuna cu un grup de elevi croați care se pregatesc sa devină programatori de jocuri video.

Dupa o pauza de 25 de minute, elevii au reluat activitatea si a-au concentrat pe crearea, cu ajutorul tabletei grafice si a programului Krita, a unui simbol grafic care sintetizează relația lor cu natura. Atelierul se numeste Nature in Lines.

La intoarcerea in tara elevii vor disemina atât modalitatea de lucru, cat si mesajul lor pentru dezvoltare durabila, colegilor lor si elevilor mai mici din scoli locale.

Theme: Sustainability, Nature & Cultural Awareness

Location: Riverbanks of Kupa and Sava

Materials: Smartphone/camera, notebook, pencil, reusable bag, map

Duration: 60–90 minutes

Instructions:

• Work in teams to find or observe as many items from the list below as possible.

• Take a photo or make a sketch of each item.

• For certain challenges, collect information or small, natural objects (never disturb living things!).

• Each item has a point value. The team with the most points wins!

Scavenger Hunt Items (with Points):

Nature & Ecosystem (Total: 30 pts)

• A native plant growing near the river (3 pts)

• A bird nesting or flying over the water (5 pts)

• A fish or amphibian sighting (5 pts)

• Evidence of animal tracks (4 pts)

• A wildflower with 5+ petals (3 pts)

• Invasive or non-native plant species (bonus: explain impact) (5 pts)

Sustainability Awareness (Total: 25 pts)

• A spot with visible erosion or pollution (4 pts)

• A trash item that should be recycled – collect it if safe (3 pts)

• A recycling bin or clean-up sign in the area (4 pts)

• An eco-friendly action taken by your team (e.g., picking up litter) (5 pts)

• Interview a local on how they help protect the rivers (9 pts)

Cultural & Historical Connection (Total: 25 pts)

• A historical building or bridge near the river (5 pts)

• A plaque or sign describing the area’s past (3 pts)

• A traditional fishing or boating tool (even a replica/image) (4 pts)

• A poem, story or saying in Croatian about the river (5 pts)

• Draw or describe a local legend tied to the river (8 pts)

Creative Challenges (Total: 20 pts)

• Take a team selfie at the most beautiful natural spot (2 pts)

• Create a nature mandala using fallen leaves, sticks, or stones (5 pts)

• Write a haiku about the river (5 pts)

• Find and record the sound of water + bird song together (8 pts)

Bonus Challenge:

• Identify 3 native tree species by name (Croatian or Latin) (10 pts)

• Suggest one local action to improve sustainability along the river (5 pts)

Elevii au desenat elemente naturale inspirate din peisajul Croației.

Produs STEAM: autoportret digital sau jurnal artistic reprezentând conexiunea personala cu natura

- Morning: Guided educational tour of Plitvice Lakes National Park, observing biodiversity, water ecosystems, and conservation efforts.

- Afternoon: Group reflection session outdoors - 'What sustainability issues did we observe?'

- Activity: Quick sketching and photography session to capture inspiration for later digital interpretation.

- Outcome: Concept boards based on water preservation, ecosystem balance, or responsible tourisme

Date: April 23, 2025

Team Name: ___________________________

Group Members: ___________________________

Instructions:

During your visit to Plitvice Lakes, try to find and document at least 8 of the 12 items below.
For each item:
- Take a photo
- Write a short description
- Note where you found it or any interesting context

Scavenger Hunt Entries:

1. A tree labeled as a protected species

Photo taken? (✓)  Description / Observation: ___________________________  Location / Notes: ___________________________

2. A moss-covered rock or tree trunk

Photo taken? (✓)  Description / Observation: ___________________________  Location / Notes: ___________________________

3. A flower pollinated by insects

Photo taken? (✓)  Description / Observation: ___________________________  Location / Notes: ___________________________

4. Footprints or signs of a wild animal

Photo taken? (✓)  Description / Observation: ___________________________  Location / Notes: ___________________________

5. A fish in the lake (e.g., brown trout)

Photo taken? (✓)  Description / Observation: ___________________________  Location / Notes: ___________________________

6. A bird nesting or feeding

Photo taken? (✓)  Description / Observation: ___________________________  Location / Notes: ___________________________

7. A marked eco-trail or protected path

Photo taken? (✓)  Description / Observation: ___________________________  Location / Notes: ___________________________

8. A biodiversity or “Do Not Litter” sign

Photo taken? (✓)  Description / Observation: ___________________________  Location / Notes: ___________________________

9. A recycling bin or waste station

Photo taken? (✓)  Description / Observation: ___________________________  Location / Notes: ___________________________

10. Evidence of water quality (clarity, algae)

Photo taken? (✓)  Description / Observation: ___________________________  Location / Notes: ___________________________

11. Signs of human impact (positive/negative)

Photo taken? (✓)  Description / Observation: ___________________________  Location / Notes: ___________________________

12. A 30-second sound recording of nature

Photo taken? (✓)  Description / Observation: ___________________________  Location / Notes: ___________________________

Team Reflection: Nature & Sustainability

1. Which discovery made you feel most connected to nature? Why?

________________________________________________________________________________

2. Did you notice any human activity that was helping or harming the environment? Explain.

________________________________________________________________________________

3. How does preserving natural places like Plitvice Lakes contribute to sustainability?

________________________________________________________________________________

4. What are some ways we can apply what we observed today to protect nature in our own community?

________________________________________________________________________________

5. If you could design a campaign to raise awareness about something you saw today, what would it focus on?

________________________________________________________________________________

Outcome: Begin building digital posters or storyboards combining STEAM and art.

Outcome: Completed artwork + draft of a  presentation.Collaborate on a cross-curricular creative project

Understand how to apply STEAM principles to real-world sustainability issues.

Location: Zagreb, Museum of illusions

Elevii au ajuns in Zagreb unde au avut doua misiuni:

Prima: de observat principiile STEAM

La Muzeul Iluzior din Zagreb, activitate urmată de completarea unui chestionar in care au de explicat principiile dupa care functioneaza iluziile observate

A doua: Eco-cultural-scavenger hunt in Zagreb, activitate in cadruk căreia elevii trebuie sa urmărească si sa ducă la îndeplinire misiuni de descoperire atât a practicilor sustenabile ale orașului, cat si elementele culturale ale acestuia.

Google forms content:

Form Structure Overview

1. Team Information

• Team Name

• Team Members

• Class/Group

2. Mission 1: See It to Believe It! (Science)

• Upload a short video from the Ames Room.

• Describe in one sentence what you think is happening in this illusion.

3. Mission 2: Tech Trickery (Technology)

• Upload a photo of the most confusing hologram you found.

• Explain how you think the technology behind it works.

4. Mission 3: Engineer the Impossible (Engineering)

• Upload a video of your team walking through the Vortex Tunnel.

• Which part of your body is tricked by this illusion? (Multiple choice)

• Bonus: What construction element do you think causes this effect?

5. Mission 4: Art That Bends Reality (Art)

• Upload your most artistic illusion photo (e.g., upside-down room).

• Why is art important in creating illusions?

6. Mission 5: Math in Motion (Math)

• Upload a photo of an illusion based on geometry.

• Name three geometric shapes you found in it.

• How does symmetry affect our perception?

7. Final Mission: Design Your Own Illusion

• Describe or sketch your idea for a new illusion using STEAM principles.

• Optional: Upload a photo of your sketch or concept.

8. Feedback

• What did you enjoy most about this Goosechase?

• One thing you learned about STEAM through illusions

Muzeul explorează fenomene precum percepția vizuală, iluziile optice și neuroștiința. Exponatele demonstrează modul în care creierul interpretează informațiile senzoriale, evidențiind discrepanțele dintre realitate și percepție. De exemplu, camerele Ames și tunelul Vortex provoacă vizitatorii să înțeleagă cum funcționează simțurile umane.

⚙️ Tehnologie (Technology)

Exponatele utilizează tehnologii moderne pentru a crea efecte vizuale impresionante. Prin utilizarea oglinzilor, luminii și proiecțiilor, muzeul oferă o experiență interactivă care evidențiază aplicarea tehnologiei în crearea iluziilor.

🏗️ Inginerie (Engineering)

Designul structurii muzeului și al exponatelor implică principii de inginerie pentru a crea iluzii convingătoare. De exemplu, construcția camerei înclinate necesită calcule precise pentru a obține efectul dorit asupra percepției vizitatorilor.

🎨 Artă (Art)

Estetica muzeului și designul creativ al exponatelor contribuie la o experiență vizuală captivantă. Combinația de culori, forme și lumini este esențială pentru crearea iluziilor și pentru atragerea vizitatorilor de toate vârstele.

📐 Matematică (Mathematics)

Multe dintre iluziile prezentate se bazează pe principii matematice, cum ar fi geometria și proporțiile. Exponatele demonstrează cum formulele matematice pot fi aplicate pentru a crea efecte vizuale care sfidează percepția obișnuită.

📚 Educație STEAM în Muzeu

Muzeul Iluziilor colaborează cu organizații educaționale pentru a oferi planuri de lecții și activități care completează curriculumul STEAM. Aceste resurse sunt concepute pentru a stimula gândirea critică și creativitatea elevilor, oferindu-le o înțelegere mai profundă a modului în care funcționează percepția umană și știința din spatele iluziilor

Task: Climb the tower and take a photo with the cannon.

Riddle:

“Each day at noon, I boom with pride,

To keep the city’s time in stride.

Climb up high and you shall see,

A cannon waiting there for thee.”

2. Mission: “A Market Like No Other” – Dolac Market

Task: Take a selfie with a local vendor or a colorful fruit stand.

Challenge: Ask a vendor how to say “apple” in Croatian and type it in.

Bonus: Find the iconic red umbrellas!

3. Mission: “Watch Your Step!” – Museum of Broken Relationships

Task: Write a short (3-line) “breakup story” inspired by the museum’s theme.

Riddle:

“Not your typical display of fame,

Each object holds a lover’s name.

A ring, a note, a torn-up shoe,

Love once lived—now on view.”

4. Mission: “Sacred Stones” – Zagreb Cathedral

Task: Capture a photo of the cathedral’s spires from the outside.

Bonus Challenge: Count the number of gargoyles you can spot and type it in.

Riddle:

“Twin towers scratch the sky so bold,

Their Gothic beauty centuries old.

A sacred place where silence grows,

Find the spot where history flows.”

5. Mission: “What a View!” – Strossmayer Promenade

Task: Record a short video describing what you see from the viewpoint.

Creative Prompt: Say one thing you’d tell someone back home about this view.

6. Mission: “Hidden Underfoot” – Zagreb Grounded Solar System

Task: Find one of the planets scattered around the city and take a picture with it.

Riddle:

“The sun is near, the planets stray,

Hidden gems along your way.

Find just one and you will see,

A tiny world beneath your knee.”

7. Mission: “Stone Gate Whispers” – Kamenita Vrata

Task: Light a candle and write a wish (real or imaginary).

Riddle:

“Through fire and stone I still remain,

A chapel born from ash and flame.

Make a wish and light it bright,

Protected in the candlelight.”

8. Mission: “Art in the Open” – Croatian National Theatre

Task: Recreate a dramatic pose in front of the theatre and snap a photo.

Bonus: Find out when the building was constructed and type in the year.

9. Mission: “Ties That Bind” – Cravat Statue

Task: Take a team photo mimicking a fancy cravat pose.

Riddle:

“Before the tie was ever chic,

Croatian knights wore it unique.

Find the statue standing proud,

A knotted past that shouts out loud.”

10. Mission: “Walk the Line” – Ilica Street

Task: Find the most interesting shop window and take a photo.

Prompt: Describe what makes it special or strange

One day, it is said, that a curious man followed the vila(water spirit in Slavic culture, the maiden) into the water and vanished away with the current. He is now considered to be Sisak's guardian spirit, reminding people to respect nature and its rules.

A saying about the river is: "Kupa nosi sve sa sobom." Which translates to "The kupa carries everything with it."!

-Identify 3 native trees species by name:

1. Poljski jasen - European Ash - Fraxinus angustifolia

2. Bijela vrba - White Willow - Salix Alba

3. Crna joha - Black Alder - Alnus glutinosa

-Suggest one local action to improve sustainability along the river

Sisak is a impressively clean city and I have noticed during this activity that the river Kupa is very well kept. However, I believe that the city's people could make more of an effort to cherish the species that live in it, given that we didn't notice any sort of fish or amphibians along the not-so-well kept banks of the river. Biodiversity is important too