Since 2014, the Department of Biology as a constituent unit of Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek has been continuously implementing a science popularisation project known as Biolog-i-Ja (in English: Biology-and-I), within which it gathers interested citizens of all age groups to share their enthusiasm for science and strongly encourage the participants’ interest in biology. Lectures, workshops and exhibitions of students’ works are just one part of educational programme by which the Department tries to connect with social community.
Workshops of various topics (“Soil engineers”, “What will I be when I grow up?”, “Cosmetics with a message”, “Laboratory puzzles”, “All colours of flowers”, “Methods of sampling horseflies”, “Big world of small bacteria” and “Treasure hunt on the streets of Osijek”), held on 30 April 2022, gathered around 170 pupils and teachers from primary and secondary schools of the Osijek-Baranja and Vukovar-Syrmia counties. Active participation enables pupils to connect with the academic community and with the students of the Department of Biology, as well as to acquire extracurricular knowledge and skills. While most of the workshops were held at the Department of Biology, the interactive game “Treasure hunt on the streets of Osijek” enabled the participants to discover rich natural heritage of the city of Osijek, as well as its cultural sights. This activity aimed at raising of youth awareness of the need to preserve the urban environment in which, apart from us, some rare and unique plant and animal species live.
On the same day, an Open Day was organised with the motto Get a glimpse into Department of Biology labs. Visitors of all age groups were given access to the laboratories, and prospective students were especially interested in getting introduced to the work of teachers, associates and students engaged in up-to-date research, as well as innovative and interactive teaching. Apart of the exhibition of student works submitted to the Competition for the best student work, the Department hosted an exhibition of photographs “From chromosomes to stars” by the student Matej Seletković.
Within this year’s project, Department teachers delivered several scientific-popular lectures at schools, such as “Skilful Curious Ambitious Most Intelligent Empathic – CROWS”, “The brain remembers COVID! Or not?”, “Microplastics in water bodies”, “Primary water producers” and “Female vampires without teeth”.
Apart of the Department staff, the project was realised by some 60 students that shared their enthusiasm for biology with around 350 participants in this year’s activities. Students gain experience by participating in project organisation, development of workshops and realisation of various activities as well as by communicating with visitors of all age groups, all of which contributes to development of their creativity, critical thinking skills, presentation skills, boosts their excellence and affects development of their careers.
This year’s project Biolog-i-Ja was closed on 27 May 2022 with the Biology Party. The Party facilitated gathering of students for the exchange of experiences. Furthermore, charters and awards were publicly presented to students for the best student works in the categories listed in the Competition announced on 30 March 2022.
The importance of the project Biolog-i-Ja has long been recognised and supported by many associates of the Department of Biology. Improving the quality of project activities this year was made possible by the City of Osijek, the Student Centre in Osijek, the Student Union of Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, the Centre for Animal Husbandry Advancement, Euroherc Insurance and Olga Real Estate Agency, to whom we would like to thank on this occasion.
