The wonders of science and discovery at MjUNI’s junior workshops.

At the start of the day, the Dean of Masaryk University’s Faculty of Science, Tomáš Kašparovský, welcomed the participants. The Vice Dean for External Relations and Internationalisation at the Faculty of Sports Studies, Michal Kumstát, then motivated everyone with a short activity that got them moving and ready for a day of discovery.

The world under the microscope and fascinating experiments

The children had a unique opportunity to peek into the fascinating world of science through a series of themed workshops that awakened their curiosity and thirst for discovery. Each one offered a unique experience and a chance to understand the complexities of nature in a playful way.
In the Magic of the Microworld workshop, children became a petri dish painter, discovered the secrets of yeast and created 3D models of microorganisms.
Later, they could take home their own creations from the Magical Chemistry Experiments to remind them of the magic of chemistry.
Other workshops took the children into the world of bats, where they learned about their hunting strategies, sound signals and food. They also tried making measurements with a simple camera and a non-contact thermometer.
Insect lovers had the opportunity to get up close and personal with 15 species of live insects, some of which they could also handle.

From parasites to biochemistry

Older children learnt interesting facts about the life of parasites. As an example, they were able to see parasites inhabiting a cockroach’s intestine. Under the microscope they discovered secrets of how living organisms work and details hidden within the human body and nature around.
Another workshop revealed fascinating experiments from the world of biochemistry, including DNA isolation and evidence of sugars. The children also explored enzymes, natural indicators and colours.
Older boys and girls learned basic laboratory skills, such as preparing solutions and pipetting and monitoring chemical reactions in the immunology lab. They also learnt how blood cells in a multicellular organism know their place and function in the body.

Science from head to toe

In The Body from Head to Toe workshop, older children explored how individual tissues differ and discovered how they work together to form a functioning whole through the lens of a microscope.
Participants in another workshop, exploring how chemicals interact with light, encountered luminescence and colour changes during chemical reactions.

Even the adults showed curiosity

The fun day was not just for children; inquisitive parents had their own chance to learn during a lecture by Dean Tomáš Kašparovský on Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Through the Eyes of a Biochemist.
Thanks to these workshops, both children and parents experienced the joy of exploration and discovery and awakened their scientific curiosity and creativity.

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