On July 15, 2024, the reception at the Institute of Materials and Machine Mechanics SAS, in Bratislava, turned into a buzzing hive of young scientific talents. The summer popularization project of the Slovak Academy of Sciences Summer School of Young Scientists 2024 has started. During the whole week, talented youth will be diligently researching at 14 SAS institutes under the supervision of top scientists, this time not only in Bratislava but also in Košice for the first time. During five days, they will try various experiments, examine samples under microscopes and other instruments, and acquire new knowledge and skills.
Here at the Institute of Materials and Machine Mechanics SAS, students became modern-day alchemists and got a glimpse into the secrets of materials research. Mysteriously, they tried to transform the powder into armor for several days; to achieve this, they had to travel to the depths of the earth through a microscope.
Working in laboratories gave students a unique opportunity to see the world from a different perspective, understand the composition and properties of different materials, and learn how to improve them. The results of their experiments not only broadened their scientific horizons but also ignited their curiosity and desire for knowledge.
During the afternoon program, they got to know about:
– slovak wild animals, why it is essential to protect nature and life in it, thanks to an interactive lecture by WWF Slovakia,
– about supercomputer DEVANA, what it is used for, and what benefits it brings not only to our scientists.
– Energoland in Mochovce
– Devín Castle and its history
The last day of the summer school is traditionally dedicated to the final conference. The students prepared posters and summarizing their week-long scientific research and explained what they had learned to family members and other attendees during the conference.
This unforgettable experience showed them that science is not only a vast and boring theory but also discovery, creation, and great fun.
We are looking forward to the following year.
Article about Scientific summer camp here
https://www.sav.sk/?lang=sk&doc=services-news&source_no=20&news_no=12087
https://www.sav.sk/?lang=sk&doc=services-news&source_no=20&news_no=12095
Reportage TA3:
https://www.ta3.com/relacia/950563/mladi-vedci-si-vyskusali-experimenty-ziaci-maju-na-vyber-zo-sirokej-skaly-moznosti
