Phronesis, Center for Mental Strength of Children and Youth Opens Applications for August, and the New 'NeuroLearn' Module Prepares the Brain for Learning Through Experiments and STEM Activities
Students from first to fourth grade of elementary school in Poreč will have the opportunity this year, just before the start of the new school year, to participate in a series of free workshops that help them develop concentration, memory, and emotional intelligence. The organizer, the Center for Mental Strength of Children and Youth Phronesis, has issued a public call for participation in the activities of the NeuroSTEM Talent Center project.
Special emphasis this August is placed on the new module called "NeuroLearn: Prepare Your Brain for Learning." This program is designed to provide children with scientifically based tools for more effective learning through research, experiments, logical challenges, and practical STEM activities. The goal is for young participants to get to know their own brains, understand what affects focus and how distractions arise, and discover strategies that can help them master school material.
In addition to preparing for learning, the program also includes the continuation of the "Emotion Explorers" module, which deals with children's emotional world. Through three thematic units, Emotional Radar, Exploring Fears, and Managing Emotions, participants will learn to recognize their own feelings, understand the signals their bodies send, and constructively manage challenging emotional states with the help of biofeedback measurements, research activities, and practical exercises.
All workshops will be held at the Phronesis Center premises at Vukovarska 19 in Poreč. Due to the individual approach and quality of work, the maximum number of participants per group is limited to eight children. In case of greater interest than available spots, priority will be given to those who submit a complete application first, and the organizer also announces the possibility of forming additional groups.
The first workshops of the new "NeuroLearn" module are scheduled for Thursday, August 20, 2026, in two time slots: morning from 10:00 to 11:30 AM and afternoon from 1:30 to 3:00 PM. A day later, on August 21, the "Emotion Explorers" module begins with the Emotional Radar workshop, also in two identical time slots. The program continues on August 27 with the Explore Your Fears workshop and concludes on August 28 with the Manage Your Emotions session.
As the finale of August activities, on Saturday, August 29, at Valamar Parentino Beach (Antona Štifanića Promenade bb), the interactive exhibition "NeuroSTEM EXPO" will be held. From 10:00 to 11:30 AM, visitors of all ages can freely explore a unique blend of neuroscience, mental health, and technology. The exhibition is part of the Porečki Delfin sports event and presents the functioning of the brain, body, and emotions in an accessible way.
Applications for the workshops are accepted via the Google form on the official Phronesis Center link or by visiting the center in person. To confirm belonging to the target group, applicants must provide one of the following documents: a report from e-Matica certified with the school's stamp, an extract from the register of births, or a certificate of student status from the e-Dnevnik application.
Participation in all workshops and the exhibition is completely free for all participants. The "NeuroSTEM Talent Center" project has a total value of €297,360.00, of which as much as 85 percent of the funds come from the European Social Fund Plus, while the remaining 15 percent is secured from the state budget of the Republic of Croatia.
"Participation in the workshops is free. The project is co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund Plus and by the state budget of the Republic of Croatia," states the announcement from the Phronesis Center.
