Students explored the world of plants, reptiles, and microorganisms, where science met adventure in the outdoors.
On October 8, 2025, the Faculty of Science of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, in cooperation with the Košice Children’s Railway, organized the event “A Day in Nature with the Faculty of Science.” The event took place at the final station Alpinka in the Čermeľ Valley, and its goal was to bring science closer to students in an engaging and interactive way.
The program showcased the work of research teams involved in the EFFUSE-win project, their scientific focus, and educational activities for primary and secondary school students. Students traveled to the site by the Children’s Railway, where three educational stations awaited them: Discovering Plants, The Micro-World Around Us, and Reptiles in the Spotlight.
At the botany station, they learned the basics of plant identification, how to use stereomicroscopes, and how to recognize species growing in the Čermeľ Valley.
The herpetology station introduced the reptiles of Slovakia, especially snakes, their ecology, and their role in nature. Students learned to distinguish the common European adder (Vipera berus) from the harmless smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) and understood why snakes should not be feared. Exotic species—including snakes, a turtle, an agama, and various invertebrates—were also presented as live examples, attracting great interest.
At the microbiology station, participants observed yogurt bacteria (Lactobacillus) and Bacillus under the microscope, examined the morphology of streptomycetes, measured the pH of samples from extreme environments, and tried basic laboratory techniques such as pipetting and identifying bacteria on culture plates.
The event combined education with hands-on learning, supported scientific curiosity and environmental awareness among young participants, and contributed to achieving the goals of the EFFUSE-win project—to promote science, foster interest in research, and strengthen the connection between science, education, and society.
