Friday and Saturday, June 21 and 22, 2024, in Trnava were dedicated to knowledge, education, and science. The event “Weekend with the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS)” traditionally opened the doors to the public, providing a glimpse into the scientists’ metaphorical offices and laboratories. As stated by the President of SAS, Prof. Pavol Šajgalík: “It is extremely important to bring science to the regions where such contact is rare and very necessary.” Therefore, this year’s Weekend with SAV moved from the capital to nearby Trnava.
We are pleased that the first event outside Bratislava was hosted by Trnava, a city that is both a historical center of education and a modern, dynamic university town.
In 14 booths and on the stage, more than a third of the SAS organizations were represented, primarily scientific institutes dealing with life and physical sciences, as well as social and humanities disciplines. The exhibitions featured a variety of interesting, fun, and educational activities designed to welcome young scientists, while also offering the opportunity for everyone, regardless of age or education, to learn new information and deepen their knowledge in any scientific field.
At the booth of the Institute of Chemistry SAS, visitors could learn about the various ways we encounter carbohydrates, their different uses, such as in diagnosing certain diseases, and what happens to them in our bodies. Chemists also brought some of the yeast collection to Trnava, which, with 4,000 strains, is the largest in Central Europe. Did you know that yeast can help plants cope with the adverse effects of climate change?
Microorganisms were also stars at the booth of the Institute of Molecular Biology SAS, where visitors could learn that bacteria can produce colorful pigments similar to plants, that they can also get sick, and that useful substances in honey, plants, essential oils, and even dirty soil can act against viruses, fungi, and bacteria.
We also looked through microscopes and magnifying glasses at the booths of the Biomedical Center SAS and the Institute of Parasitology SAS. With a parasitologist, we explored nematodes, which are an important part of the soil ecosystem but can also cause significant problems in gardens and fields. Colleagues from the Biomedical Center SAS showed us the diversity of organisms invisible to the human eye. How their activity can manifest visibly was observed on plants in the form of diseases and damage.
At the booth of the Institute of Zoology SAS, curious nature lovers were attracted by the opportunity to examine exotic cockroaches and useful caterpillars in detail and learn why the fruit fly is so popular in laboratories. The enticing exhibit of the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry SAS allowed visitors to view fluorescent substances and materials under ultraviolet light and learn more about this fascinating phenomenon.
Knowledge about the diversity and relationships between animals, plants, and everything living and non-living in the landscape could be refreshed and expanded with colleagues from the Institute of Landscape Ecology SAS. The landscape was also the focus of the creative booth of the Geographical Institute SAS, which presented research subjects through a Lego world. Here, visitors could see river landscapes and the changes that transform them, landslides, the diversity of meadows, and their management. They could also observe different types of landscape cover, their development, and changes due to human activities. The Astronomical Institute SAS brought the near and distant universe closer to visitors through captivating videos, the opportunity to see structures on the Sun’s surface through a telescope, and view 3D models of comets and asteroids.
Equally fascinating and mysterious is the small “universe” we all carry with us – our brain. Visitors could delve into the secrets of its functioning with colleagues from the Institute of Neuroimmunology SAS. The Institute of Materials and Machine Mechanics SAS was literally a creative workshop for young “material scientists,” who, for example, could understand the principle of powder metallurgy by making candy. This booth also attracted those interested in modern materials or the future and possibilities of using various energy sources.
A near-manufacturing buzz prevailed among our historians, where visitors could engage in conversations with experts, practice writing historical scripts, encrypt and decrypt secret messages, or seal documents with wax. As the saying goes, “clothes make the man” – on replicas of Renaissance historical attire, visitors learned about its functional and representative aspects and its role in contemporary society.
Our two congress centers, KC ACADEMIA Stará Lesná and KC Smolenice, were also present, offering not only congress services but also opening their spaces to the general public. Located in the attractive surroundings of the High Tatras and at the Smolenice Castle in the beautiful Little Carpathian region, both facilities offer various interesting stays and events.
During the two days, both young and older creatives enjoyed themselves. Many of our booths featured quizzes, drawings, puzzles, and models, and in each, our scientists were ready to answer deep and curious questions with ease and humor.
Besides the enriching weekend program in the booths, colleagues from the Earth Science Institute SAS, Prognostic Institute CSPV SAS, Physics Institute SAV, Historical Institute SAS, Institute of Ethnology and Social Anthropology SAS, Political Science Institute SAS, Institute of Zoology SAS, Parasitology Institute SAS, and Chemistry Institute SAS took turns on stage on Friday. In engaging conversations with moderator M. Chynoranský, the audience could listen to stories about Slovaks in Vojvodina, the challenges and issues brought by climate change, or conspiracy theories related to M. R. Štefánik. They also learned about planned events at KC Smolenice and the opportunities to spend leisure time at this picturesque castle. An interesting and motivating talk by one of our top scientists about how he went from school in Trnava to working in nuclear research was also featured. Along with other colleagues, we looked into the world of soil microorganisms, learned interesting facts about fruit flies, their similarities to humans, and their contributions to research. A parasitologist explained whether nematodes are only harmful or can also be beneficial. Thanks to a conversation with a colleague from the Laboratory of Apidology and Apitherapy at the Institute of Molecular Biology SAS, we learned the surprising fact that honey can be beneficial for dental enamel. Besides bees, which were discussed several times on Friday and Saturday, exotic cockroaches also shone on stage, attracting attention with their size and appearance at the zoologists’ booth. A colleague from the Chemistry Institute SAS brought not only a wealth of interesting information about carbohydrates to the stage but also experiments no longer conducted in schools. A historical excursion into early modern clothing was not only a stimulating talk but also a feast for the eyes, thanks to replicas of historical costumes.
Several attentive listeners received rewards for correct answers, one of which was tickets to the Dragon Days event at Smolenice Castle.
The day full of science and fun ended with a concert by the excellent local band Hudba z Marsu.
We thank all participants and partners (the city of Trnava, Lifestarter, and Sandberg Capital) and everyone who contributed to making the Weekend with SAS a pleasant and fun event, as well as a celebration of science and education. See you next year at the Weekend with SAS.
Processed by: Lenka Ulašinová Bystrianska, Department of Strategic Development SAS
Photos: Katarína Gáliková, Martin Bystriansky