Čačkalica

“Čačkalica” – a student competition to popularize vocational professions.

A gamified, award-based tinkering experience whose goal is to popularize tinkering and craftsmanship among children (10-14 yrs old) in Croatia, allowing them to learn skills identified to be needed for the 21st century in a fun, meaningful and engaging way, solving real life challenges in collaboration with others. Initiated by Impact Hub Zagreb and a group of diverse stakeholders within beyond (un)employment project supported by the Robert Bosch Stiftung. The competition was piloted in collaboration with the US Embassy in Croatia and Tinkering School from USA.

“Toothpick” is a game and competition for students in grades 5 to 8 of elementary school in which they solve important school problems by creating an object – their team’s “toothpick solution” using various tools and materials with the help of a mentor, and compete for a grand prize, reported from Zagreb’s “Impact Hub”, which, with a team of collaborators, is organizing “Čačkalica”.

Zagreb’s “Impact Hub” is part of an international network of communities and coworking spaces that support various stakeholders in the field of civil society and entrepreneurship, whose mission is to create positive social change.

The project has also received support from the Robert Bosch Foundation and the US Embassy in Zagreb. FER, the Croatian Robotics Association and others support the project with promotion, judges and volunteers for its various phases.

When applying to participate, student teams first identify a problem in their school that needs to be solved, then create a “tick-tock solution”, solve “tick-tock hunting” tasks that earn them additional points, and then submit their solutions and compete for an exciting prize.