Students at MjUNI revealed the secrets of cell life, insects, bats, and chemical experiments

At the end of March, the University Campus at Bohunice opened its doors to nearly 250 children studying at the Junior University (MjUNI). Lecturers from the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Sports Studies at Masaryk University, and CEITEC prepared workshops and short lectures for them. Their curious parents also enjoyed a lecture by the dean of the Faculty of Science on the topic "Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle from the Perspective of a Biochemist".

11 Apr 2024 Adéla Dilhofová

At the beginning of the day, all participants were welcomed by the dean of the Faculty of Science, Tomáš Kašparovský, who for a moment transformed into the director of Slytherin House, Severus Snape, in front of the children. Sports enthusiasts were addressed by the vice-dean of "sports," Michal Kumstát, who managed his opening presentation on a balance trainer.

Lecturers from the Department of Botany and Zoology and the Department of Experimental Biology then provided children with a detailed insight into the lives of bats, silkworm moths, walking leaves, walking sticks, fruit flies, and cockroaches, which they could explore in detail together.

Students practically familiarized themselves with the microscopic world, modelled various shapes of microorganisms, discovered the secrets of yeast, and could also explore the detailed process of egg development after fertilization. Experts from the National Centre for Biomolecular Research revealed to children the fascinating world of cells under their microscopes. At the Department of Biochemistry and the Department of Chemistry, children could try out methods and principles of biochemistry functioning in a common household and several different chemical experiments, including experiments with light.