On 3 September 2026, a presentation titled “From Plate to Space”, dedicated to sustainability and the practical application of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was held at the Planetarium of the Astronomical Society of Novi Sad (ADNOS).
The presentation was presented on behalf of the Greenovate project (Engaging Youth in a Digital Green Future 2.0) by Anđelina Žugić, a physics teacher and student who is also a finalist of the cooking competition “MasterChef”. By combining her professional and personal interests, Anđelina sought to raise awareness of the importance of sustainability and show that contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals can be found in different areas of everyday life.
The aim of the presentation was to introduce participants to the Sustainable Development Goals and encourage them to think about their practical application. Particular emphasis was placed on examples from culinary arts and physics, which showed that sustainability is not only a global topic, but also something we can influence through our everyday decisions.
The culinary part of the presentation focused on the zero-waste concept and the ways in which food can be used in different, more creative and sustainable ways. Highlighting parts of food that we often throw away, but which can have useful applications. These examples showed how small changes in everyday habits can contribute to a more responsible approach to resources and reducing waste.
The second part of the presentation focused on space waste, one of the challenges becoming increasingly significant for the future of space exploration. Anđelina presented the problem of space debris, its consequences and the complexity of addressing it, as well as examples of possible solutions, such as the use of powerful lasers. Drawing on her experience as a physics student and teacher, she sought to bring this topic closer to the audience and show how science can contribute to addressing global sustainability challenges.
The presentation was attended mostly by physics students, as well as other interested visitors who recognised the importance of the environmental topic. In this way, the event brought together an audience with different interests and created space for a discussion on how sustainability can be understood and applied across different fields.
At the end of the presentation, a group discussion was held, during which participants had the opportunity to exchange their views on sustainability and its importance. Anđelina posed a question for the audience to reflect on: In what ways can each of us, within our different roles in life and professions, contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals? The discussion also touched on the influence we can have on the awareness of others, as well as the possibility of encouraging change in our surroundings through personal example.
The presentation “From Plate to Space” showed that sustainability does not belong to just one field, but connects science, everyday life and personal responsibility. Through examples from culinary arts and physics, participants had the opportunity to see how knowledge, creativity and a willingness to make changes can contribute to building a more sustainable future.
Milijana Žugić, Student intern at Media Pont
Photo: ADNOS